Former President Barack Obama endorsed Democrat Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger on Thursday, releasing two digital ads urging voters to support the former congresswoman on Election Day next month.
In two 30-secord spots titled “Protect Our Rights” and “An economy that works for everyone” Obama touts Spanberger’s record on the economy, abortion rights and voting rights.
“Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year. 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 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,” Obama said. “But it won’t happen without you. Every vote counts, so turn out. Virginia, Abigail Spanberger is the best choice for governor.”
The ads come after the former president starred in a new ad earlier this week promoting California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) redistricting effort in that state.
Earle-Sears’ press secretary Peyton Vogel told Fox News in reaction to the ads that, “Abigail Spanberger is scared, and it shows.”
“After losing support across Virginia, she’s leaning on liberal elites to try and save her collapsing campaign. This is a desperate play from a candidate who’s run out of support, out of ideas, and out of time. Voters see through it, and that’s why Winsome Earle-Sears is surging,” Vogel added.
The former president flipped Virginia in the 2008 presidential election, winning the state by 6 points. He won Virginia again in 2012 by just less than 4 points.
Obama’s endorsement comes as Spanberger has continued to lead her Republican opponent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R). The latest polling average from The Hill’s partners at Decision Desk HQ show Spanberger leading Earle-Sears 49.9 percent to 44.1 percent.
President Trump has yet to formally endorse Earle-Sears, but has endorsed incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares (R).
In August, the president suggested he “would” endorse Earle-Sears.
“I mean, I would. I think probably she’s got a tough race,” Trump told reporters. “She shouldn’t, she shouldn’t have, but because the candidate she’s running against is not very good, but I think she’s got a tough race. But I would, yeah.”
Earle-Sears most recently criticized Spanberger on her X account Wednesday night for her reaction to the texting scandal surrounding Democratic Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones.
The scandal involving Jones came to light earlier this month when the National Review published text message exchanges between Jones and his former state legislative colleague, Republican House Delegate Carrie Coyner. In the exchanges, Jones appears to call for violence against then-Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Todd Gilbert, his wife, Jennifer, and their children.
“Jay Jones expressed his desire to murder a dad and his two young boys — and to see police officers get shot,” Earle-Sears said. “Abigail Spanberger still supports him.”
Former Virginia state Del. Jay Jones’ escalating scandal is expected to dominate Thursday’s attorney general debate at the University of Richmond.
The most recent Fox News-approved poll, conducted by Christopher Newport University on Oct. 3 before the scandal broke, showed Jones leading Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares by six points, with other Democrats on the statewide ticket enjoying similar margins.
READ NEXT: Senior GOP Leader Suffers Devastating Fall From Grace — LITERALLY
America’s Traitor is doing what he does best,destroying America,
HEY OBAMA SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE SODOMITE LOVER SCREW YOU AND THE TYRANTS DEMOCRATS AND LIBERALS AND PROGRESSIVES
Mr. Kenya Man Lies About Everything, His Sole Purpose Is To Destroy America.