In a significant political development, former President Barack Obama has thrown his support behind Democratic ex-Representative Abigail Spanberger in the Virginia governor’s race. Obama is featured in two newly launched digital advertisements for Spanberger’s campaign, emphasizing key issues such as the economy and abortion rights.

Both advertisements, initially shared with NBC News, highlight the critical nature of Virginia’s elections this year. “Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country,” Obama states in the ads, underscoring the importance of participation with the reminder, “Every vote counts.”

This year’s gubernatorial race in Virginia, alongside New Jersey, is attracting significant national attention. As one of only two states holding governor’s races this year, the outcomes are considered a barometer for voter sentiment towards current political leaders, including President Donald Trump, and may offer insights into the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

While Trump has yet to endorse a candidate in the Virginia race, Spanberger faces off against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Despite the lack of an endorsement from Trump, Spanberger’s campaign has been gaining momentum, consistently leading in public opinion polls and outpacing Earle-Sears in campaign spending.

Spanberger’s campaign is buoyed by historical trends, as the party controlling the White House has lost 11 out of the last 12 gubernatorial elections. Notably, the exception occurred during Obama’s second term when Democrat Terry McAuliffe triumphed in 2013, a victory attributed in part to a government shutdown that significantly impacted Virginia’s federal workforce.

The lone exception came in Obama’s second term, when Democrat Terry McAuliffe prevailed in 2013 amid a government shutdown, which adversely affects Virginians who work for the federal government.

Even with those advantages, turning out voters can be difficult in an off-year election, and Obama is working to remind voters of the stakes of the race.

“We know Republicans will keep attacking abortion rights and the rights of women. That’s why having the right governor matters, and I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger,” he says in one of the ads.

The other spot highlights the cost of living, an issue Spanberger has focused on throughout the race.

“Republican policies are raising costs on working families so billionaires can get massive tax cuts,” Obama says. “As governor, Abigail will stand up for Virginia families. She’ll work to build an economy that works for everyone, not just big corporations and the wealthy. But it won’t happen without you.”

Obama won Virginia twice, first by 6 percentage points in 2008 and then by 4 points in 2012.

GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who cannot run for re-election because of term limits, won his race in the state by 2 points in 2021.

Obama is also starring in a TV ad in California, where voters will cast their ballots in November on a proposal to allow the state to redraw its congressional lines. Gov. Gavin Newsom led the mid-decade redistricting effort to draw more Democratic-leaning districts after Texas legislators redrew their congressional boundaries to benefit the GOP.

Obama has been more vocal about his criticisms of Trump amid the Democratic Party’s leadership vacuum following Trump’s win last year.

Other high-profile Democrats — and potential future presidential hopefuls — are heading to Virginia and New Jersey ahead of Election Day. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will campaign with Spanberger next week, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was also in Virginia recently to boost her bid.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and his wife, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, recently campaigned for Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for governor in New Jersey. And Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are also expected to campaign with Sherrill this weekend.