Obama’s endorsements come as Democrats have struggled with fundraising and intraparty debates since Kamala Harris’ loss to Trump last year. The party is eager to notch victories in the two Democratic-leaning states that Obama won twice, especially after Trump’s national victory last year. With voting already underway in both states, Democrats are eager to capitalize on anything that might get their voters to the polls.

While Democrats have a registration edge in New Jersey and the state has been firmly Democratic in presidential and Senate contests, it has seesawed between the parties in races for governor. And Trump performed better in New Jersey last year than he did in 2016 or 2020.

Sherrill is seeking to succeed term-limited incumbent Phil Murphy, a fellow Democrat who defeated Ciattarelli in a closer-than-expected 2021 contest.

In Virginia, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin is also term limited. Peyton Vogel, press secretary for Earle-Sears’ campaign, called the Obama endorsement “a desperate play” and said Spanberger is “leaning on liberal elites” to try to save her campaign.

A Spanberger campaign spokesperson said she is grateful to have Obama’s endorsement.

Mail ballots are already being turned in in New Jersey, which also has early in-person voting beginning next week. Early in-person voting is already underway in Virginia where people can also vote by absentee ballot.