Former Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger is waging a battle with Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for Virginia's governorship.

This week saw former President Barack Obama step into the race by releasing a pair of television ads on Spanberger's behalf. 

Ads focus on abortion, cost of living

According to NBC 4 in Washington, the former president's advertisements focused on abortion rights and the high cost of living.

"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," Obama declared in one of the ads.

"Republican policies are raising costs on working families so billionaires can get massive tax cuts," Obama said in another. "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," he insisted.

Powerful Dems weigh in

"Virginia's elections are some of the most important in the country this year. Every vote counts," the former president can be heard saying in both ads.

Despite once being a solidly Republican state, NBC 4 recalled how Obama twice managed to carry Virginia, winning the state by six points in 2008 and four points in 2012.

The news station pointed out that Obama is not alone in supporting Spanberger, as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has campaigned for her as well.

Meanwhile, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is scheduled to visit Virginia next week, a fact which he touted in a social media post.

Critics take aim at angry rhetoric, CCP-linked contributions

Spanberger faced criticism last month after the Virginia lieutenant governor posted a video clip of her telling supporters, "Let your rage fuel you."

Rage.

That’s what Abigail Spanberger is calling for.

We’ve seen it with racist signs, cruel jeers, even cheering a father’s assassination for daring to disagree.

I’m asking for love. Love for our neighbors and our Commonwealth.

Because Virginia is for lovers—not rage. pic.twitter.com/N4eKniCy3j

— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) September 24, 2025

What's more, Fox News reported in August that Spanberger accepted donations from a businessman with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) connections.

That revelation brought condemnation from a spokesperson for Earle-Sears, who said, "Taking $50,000 from someone with clear Chinese Communist Party ties tells us all we need to know. You can’t claim to stand up to foreign threats while pocketing money from someone celebrated by the CCP."