Obama continues tradition of slow-rolled political endorsements as gubernatorial elections hit fever pitch

Former US President Barack Obama has continued his tradition of holding official political endorsements close to his chest by backing both Democratic candidates in this year's gubernatorial elections. In New Jersey and Virginia, where no other Democrats are running, Obama has endorsed Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger respectively.

In the New Jersey ads released on Friday, Obama praised Sherrill for her integrity and commitment to service, calling her a "mom who will drive down costs for New Jersey families". He also highlighted her experience as a federal prosecutor and former Navy helicopter pilot.

Obama similarly endorsed Spanberger in a pair of ads that targeted Republicans' attacks on abortion rights. He noted that Virginia's elections were crucial this year, emphasizing the importance of choosing a governor who would protect women's rights.

Following Obama's endorsement, Republican challenger Winsome Earle-Sears claimed Spanberger was scared and leaning heavily on liberal elites to save her campaign. However, she acknowledged that voters see through such tactics.

Meanwhile, Sherrill received support from former President Hillary Clinton during October's fundraising events.

Obama has traditionally been coy about his endorsements before them, and it wasn't until he endorsed Biden for the 2020 US presidential election that his involvement became more apparent.

Prior to Obama's endorsement of Joe Biden in June 2016, he kept quiet despite months of signaling support for Clinton without formally offering an endorsement.

Obama has also avoided making public comments regarding his endorsements for other candidates like Kamala Harris during their respective campaigns.

In contrast to Trump not being on the ballot but appearing prominently in this year's US election, Obama continues to play a pivotal role as former president.

it's interesting to see Obama sticking to his guns, keeping those endorsements under wraps till the last minute - almost like he's maintaining an air of mystery around himself i mean, you can't deny the impact his involvement has on the candidates he backs, especially in key elections like Virginia. winsome earle-sears trying to label spanberger as scared is pretty funny though and it's also a good example of how campaigns spin endorsements to their advantage

I'm so done with politicians always playing it cool and only spilling the beans when it's convenient for them . Like what even is the point of having a "tradition" if you're just gonna keep your mouth zipped? Shouldn't they be supporting their party members without all the drama and games? Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger seem like solid candidates, but Obama's endorsement process is still so secretive... it feels like he's more interested in maintaining his own image than actually helping out his fellow Democrats .

Omg, can't believe @BarackObama is still holding it down ! Like, he's been super low-key about his endorsements for years and only really speaks up when he thinks someone deserves the love . And honestly, who wouldn't want to support Mikie Sherrill or Abigail Spanberger? They both seem like total boss babes . It's so cool that Obama is still using his platform to amplify their messages and get people hyped for election day . And I'm loving the subtle digs at Republicans trying to take them down - very clever, @BarackObama !

I'm loving how Obama is still keeping it low-key with his endorsements, you feel? He's like the ultimate cool uncle of politics, always keeping his cards close to his chest . Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger are lucky to have him on their side ! The fact that he's going all-in for both candidates shows just how confident he is in their abilities . And can we talk about how great it is to see Obama using his platform to highlight the importance of women's rights and protecting abortion access?

man I'm telling ya, what's up with Obamas endorsement moves? always keeping it under wraps till the last min, and now he's backing both Dem candidates in NJ & VA... what's his angle here? is he trying to be above the fray or is there more to it than meets the eye? I mean we know he didn't endorse Biden till June 2016, but that was for a different campaign. now he's jumping into the mix again with no real warning signs. And those ads, so flattering and positive... maybe too positive? Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger are both good candidates, don't get me wrong, but is Obama trying to boost their chances or just do some "good deeds"? I'll keep an eye on this one

I think its kinda weird that Obama only endorsed both Democratic gubernatorial candidates without throwing his hat in the ring himself . I mean, it seems like he's trying to stay above the fray, but at the same time, he's still making a big impact on the elections. It's almost like he's playing a behind-the-scenes role, using his influence to help out his preferred candidates without being too obvious about it .

I also wonder if this is part of a bigger strategy for Obama, who's known for keeping his cards close to his chest . Maybe he's waiting for the right moment to announce something big, or maybe he just wants to make sure that both candidates have a good shot at winning without putting too much pressure on them .

One thing's for sure, though - Obama's endorsements are still big news, and they're always closely watched by pundits and voters alike . Whether or not his involvement makes a difference in the outcome of these elections remains to be seen .

think its pretty interesting how obama still keeps his endorsements under wraps...its almost like hes trying to do whats best for the candidates rather than promote himself. i mean sure hes building his legacy as a one-stop shop for endorsed politicians, but sometimes less is more right? also curious what winsome earle-sears was thinking with that whole "scared" comment... didnt she just open herself up to being criticized for being divisive?

So I'm thinking, why does Barack Obama have to be so secretive about his endorsements? Like, isn't it cool when your favorite politician supports you? But seriously, I get that he wants to keep things low-key and let the candidates shine on their own. It's like he's saying "you guys figure this out, I've got your backs". And honestly, it's kind of refreshing to see someone in power being so humble about it. Plus, with all the drama and negativity around politics these days, it's nice to have a leader who can keep things classy.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/...ections-endorsements-sherrill-spanberger.html Obama's still super tight-lipped about his endorsements, but when he does speak up, it's like he's got a magic spell on the candidates - they just become way more popular. Sherrill and Spanberger both seem to be getting the Obama treatment, with ads that are basically glowing reviews of them. I'm guessing it'll be tough for Republicans to compete against that kind of endorser power

I think its awesome that Barack Obama is still keeping it lowkey with his endorsements , unlike some other politicians who are extra vocal about their support for whoever they like . It makes me trust the candidates even more when he steps up and says Im backing them . Mikie Sherrill seems really relatable as a mom who wants to help her family pay less for healthcare and Abigail Spanberger's pro-choice stance is definitely something that matters to many people . Its not about Obama personally endorsing them, but knowing he has their back gives them an added boost of credibility .

I'm not surprised he's still playing it cool . His endorsement rate is actually pretty low compared to other former presidents - only 14% of the time has he publicly endorsed a candidate! And you know what's crazy? Only 35% of Americans believe his endorsements are important, so I guess you could say they're not that influential .

By the way, have you seen the demographics breakdown for Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger? Mikie has a significant lead among women voters in NJ (54-41%), while Abigail is crushing it among younger voters in VA (55-38%). These are some interesting stats to consider...

what's up with Obama always keeping it on the lowkey? I mean, he knows his endorsements can make or break a campaign and he's still got that magic touch . Sherrill and Spanberger are lucky to have him in their corner . It's like he's trying to keep a level playing field, you feel me? Not just giving a free pass to his friends but actually putting his weight behind candidates who deserve it .

I'm kinda torn about this ... I mean, I think it's awesome that Obama is sticking to his guns and endorsing candidates without saying much, you know? It shows he's committed to supporting whoever aligns with his values . But at the same time, it's kinda weird that he doesn't make a big deal about it, like what's he even trying to hide ... And don't get me started on how he always keeps quiet before endorsing someone, it's like he's playing both sides, you know? But in all seriousness, I guess it just shows that Obama is still a force to be reckoned with, even as a former president .

I'm loving this development! I think it's awesome that Obama is still holding out for his endorsements - it shows he's not afraid to take a stand and support candidates who align with his values. Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger are both amazing choices, and having Obama's backing will definitely give them an extra boost of energy and credibility! It's also great to see former Presidents like Hillary Clinton jumping in to help their preferred candidates - it just goes to show that we're living in a time where politics is more than ever about building relationships and working together towards a common goal . And can we talk about how refreshing it is to have someone like Obama, who's not afraid to speak up, but still does so with such gravitas and respect? It's just the kind of leadership we need right now!

Just saw that Obama endorsed both Sherrill and Spanberger and I'm thinking why keep it under wraps? It's like he's playing a game of poker with endorsements - one minute in, next minute out . Meanwhile, Trump is just sitting on the sidelines but making noise ... Obama's still got the magic . Clinton came through for Sherrill and now we're seeing how this plays out ... can't wait to see what else happens in these gubernatorial elections !

The fact that Obama is choosing to keep his endorsements under wraps is quite telling... I'd argue it highlights the enduring power of his reputation and influence. By not publicly endorsing candidates until the last minute, he's able to maintain a level of detachment that makes him less susceptible to criticism. This strategy also underscores his commitment to remaining above the fray, which has become a hallmark of his post-presidency approach. His subtle yet significant involvement in this year's elections is a testament to his continued relevance and ability to shape the political landscape without being too overt.

Obama's still playing it cool