Obama endorses Abigail Spanberger for Virginia governor in new ads
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Former President Barack Obama endorsed former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger in the Virginia governor’s race and released a pair of ads attacking Republicans.
The contest between Spanberger, a former CIA officer, and current Virginia Governor Winsome Earle-Sears is one of two gubernatorial races being held in the United States this November. The contests are seen as a political bellwether ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
“Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year. We know Republicans will continue to attack abortion rights and women’s rights. That’s why it’s important to have the right governor, and I’m proud to support Abigail Spanberger,” Obama said in one of the ads titled “Protect Our Rights.”
“In Congress, Abigail held Republicans accountable and fought to protect voting rights and abortion rights. But it won’t happen without you. Every vote counts, so get involved. Virginia, Abigail Spanberger is the best choice for governor,” Obama added.
TOP GOP GROUP MAKES BIG MONEY ON VIRGINIA SHOWDOWN AFTER VIRAL POST OF DEM AG CANDIDATE’S VIOLENT TEXTS
Abigail Spanberger (left), running to become Virginia’s next governor, is endorsed by former President Barack Obama (right). (Serhiy Morgunov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images; Scott Olson/Getty Images)
In the other ad, Obama said: “Republican policies increase costs for working families. [that] Billionaires could get huge tax cuts.”
“As governor, Abigail will defend Virginia families,” Obama said. “He will work to build an economy that benefits everyone, not just big corporations and the wealthy.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Earle-Sears campaign for comment.
WINSOME EARLE-SEARS RELEASED THE ‘TWO BULLETS’ AD BECAUSE IT DID NOT DEMAND JAY JONES’ DROP
Virginia Republican Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (left) and New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli (right) are the only GOP gubernatorial candidates running in this year’s offseason elections. (Getty Images)
Earle-Sears last criticized Spanberger on the X account Wednesday night for his response to the texting scandal surrounding Democratic Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones.
The scandal involving Jones came to light earlier this month when National Review magazine published text message exchanges between Jones and her former state legislative colleague, Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner. In the interviews, Jones appears to be calling for violence against then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert, his wife, Jennifer, and their children.
“Jay Jones expressed a desire to kill a father and his two young sons and to see police officers shot,” Earle-Sears said. “Abigail Spanberger still supports him.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger speaks at a get-out-the-vote rally on the first day of early voting in front of the Government Center East on September 19, 2025 in Henrico County, Virginia. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Fox News Digital reported this week that Spanberger’s campaign store continues to sell co-branded merchandise with the rest of the statewide Democratic ticket, which includes Jones.
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser, Rachel Wolf and Charles Creitz contributed to this report.
