Some polls suggest that the race between Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for Virginia's governorship is tightening.

That fact may help explain why former President Barack Obama recently jumped into Spanberger's campaign.  

Obama to appear at November 1 event

According to The Hill, Spanberge revealed on Tuesday that the former president will be joining her at an event in Norfolk on November 1.

The Hill noted how Obama made history in 2008 by becoming the first Democrat to carry Virginia in over four decades and then won the state again in 2012.

However, the website pointed out that the former president has not actually campaigned in the Old Dominion in more than a decade.

NBC 4 in Washington reported that Obama has also released a pair of election ads which focused on abortion rights and concerns over living costs.

Obama: "Virginia's elections are some of the most important"

"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 could be heard saying in one of the ads.

"Republican policies are raising costs on working families so billionaires can get massive tax cuts," Obama said in the second spot. "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.

The former president concluded both ads by declaring, "Virginia's elections are some of the most important in the country this year. Every vote counts."

In addition to Obama, Spanberger has gotten additional support from Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Spanberger criticized for extreme rhetoric, CCP-linked donations

Meanwhile, Spanberger was criticized 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

Further Fox News reported in August that Spanberger accepted donations from a businessman with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) connections.

That led to a stern rebuke from Earle-Sears' spokesperson, 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."