Obama rallies for Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey gubernatorial race

Newark, New Jersey – Enthusiasm was high among Democratic voters in New Jersey who flocked to a community college campus Saturday evening to hear from the former president Barack Obama Where he rallied support for Representative Mikie Sherrill in her campaign for governor.

One voter, Alexis from South Jersey, told Fox Digital: “I heard Barack Obama was going to be here. And I love Barack Obama, so I came here for that.” “But I support Mikey too.”

“I want to hear Obama,” Robert, of Spring Lake, told Fox Digital. “I think a lot of people want to hear from Obama. Wouldn’t it be great to have a message of hope at this time?”

Hundreds of supporters gathered around several blocks surrounding the Essex County College gymnasium on Saturday to hear Obama and Sherrill speak as New Jersey’s election reached its final days. The packed hall reached capacity before the “Get Out the Vote” march officially kicked off, with supporters also watching the march from a packed parking lot.

Sherrill insists New Jersey is a Democratic stronghold ahead of Obama visit, dismisses GOP momentum: ‘Not a purple state’

Former President Barack Obama during a campaign event for Rep. Mickey Sherrill, the Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey, in Newark, on Saturday, November 1, 2025. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)

Speakers and notable rally attendees alike celebrated hearing from Obama on Saturday, but they also repeatedly talked about the president Donald TrumpHe criticized him for his efforts to deport illegal aliens, blaming the ongoing federal government shutdown on Trump and Republicans.

A few voters who spoke to Fox Digital relayed that their ballot was not just focused on Sherrill, but was also a vote against Trump and his administration.

“Well, the biggest issue is Trump,” said Robert of Spring Lake. He added: “There is nothing else…Trump is the worst of all,” noting that Trump is “anti-science” and anti-education.

Democratic voters in New Jersey rallied around several blocks in Newark on Nov. 1 before a rally headlined by former President Barack Obama. (Fox News Digital)

“Getting Trump out of office, number one,” a South Jersey voter told Fox Digital about why she came out to the rally, and her best vote related to this election.

Another voter from South Jersey added: “I’m voting for Mikie Sherrill because she really understands all people. She’s not a Trump follower.”

CLIFF-HANGER: CIATTARELLI AND SHERRILL CLAIM UPPER HAND IN CRUCIAL NJ SHOWDOWN FOR GOVERNOR

Obama also tends to criticize Trump during his public remarks, claiming that the current economy has benefited “Trump’s billionaire friends,” while “ordinary families” are paying higher prices at check-out lines because of Trump’s “shameful tariff policy.”

Vendors set up tables of anti-Trump gear outside New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill’s rally in Newark. (Fox News Digital)

“Let’s face it, our country and our politics are in a very dark place right now,” Obama told the crowd on Saturday. “It’s hard to know where to begin, because every day this White House delivers a new batch of chaos, neglect, and meanness. And just plain old madness.”

The comments targeting Trump and his administration extended to attacks on GOP gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli as well, with Obama calling him a sycophant of the president and a “sycophant” of the GOP.

Trump has had successes with New Jersey voters just one year ago, in his decisive general election victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump cut his 2020 loss from 16 points in the Garden State to six points in 2024, flipping five counties to GOP, emboldening state Republicans to keep momentum going when Ciattarelli launched his bid to take over Drumthwaket.

“Please get out and vote,” Irvington Councilwoman Charnette Frederick told Fox Digital. “And I hope Obama will be the final push to remind you.”

With his legacy at stake, Obama embarks on a campaign to bolster Democrats in key gubernatorial races

Former President Barack Obama speaks during the “Get Out the Vote” rally for gubernatorial candidate Mickey Sherrill in the gymnasium of Essex County College on November 1, 2025, in Newark. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Frederick has served as an Irvington city councilwoman since 2012, and she said Obama’s presence in the state during previous campaign rallies has stimulated an influx of voters, and she hopes the same will happen before Tuesday.

“I am an immigrant, and I believe in treating people with respect and dignity,” Frederick said. “Whatever I see now, this is not the kind of opportunity we want for our people,” she said, adding that Sherrill “will stand with the people” against the White House’s positions on immigration and other policies.

Sherrill, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, and other local Democrats took the hall stage to rally support for Sherrill, while also criticizing the Trump administration.

New Jersey Democratic Governor Hopes to Attend ‘No Kings’ Protest, Pledges to Fight Trump ‘Tooth and Nail’

Entrance to the “Get Out the Vote” rally for New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mickey Sherrill in the gymnasium at Essex County College. (Fox News Digital)

“But my fight does not and cannot end at the New Jersey border. We have to face all these blows coming from Trump and… Washington, DC. Because the president now runs a global blackmail network. You pay more for everything, from the coffee you drink in the morning to the groceries you cook dinner with at night, with Trump making billions. Its power plan is designed for an audience of one only. fossil fuel industry,” Sherrill claimed.

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During this off-year election cycle, New Jersey and Virginia hold gubernatorial elections, while other jurisdictions such as New York City hold mayoral and other local races.