By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger’s campaign announced that former President Barack Obama will join her for a rally in Norfolk, Va., on Nov. 1.
Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are running to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who cannot seek another term under Virginia’s single-term limit.
Spanberger’s campaign said in the announcement at the Norfolk rally will “make clear the stakes of this November’s election for the future of the Commonwealth.”
According to the Virginia Department of Elections, Obama carried Virginia twice, winning nearly 2 million votes to McCain’s 1.7 million in 2008 and about 2 million to Romney’s 1.8 million in 2012.
In the 2012 election, Obama won 71% of the vote in Norfolk, 64% in Newport News, and 72% in Hampton, reflecting strong Democratic turnout across the Hampton Roads region.
Obama endorsed Spanberger earlier this month, posting a campaign video on social media urging Virginians to vote for her. He said “the stakes couldn’t be higher” and called Spanberger “the best choice for governor,” praising her plans to lower housing, health care, and utility costs while growing Virginia’s economy.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump urged Virginians to “vote Republican” over the weekend, praising Earle-Sears while speaking to reporters on Air Force One.
He said she “should win” because “the Democrat candidate is a disaster.” Although he stopped short of a formal endorsement, he said he believes Virginians should vote Republican in the upcoming election.
A recent Trafalgar Group poll shows Spanberger leading Earle-Sears 47.5% to 45.3%, with about 6% of voters still undecided.
Election Day in Virginia is Tuesday, Nov. 4, with early voting already underway across the commonwealth.