Overview
- On Nov. 1, Barack Obama headlined rallies in Norfolk, Virginia, and Newark, New Jersey, urging Democrats to turn out ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
- He endorsed Abigail Spanberger for Virginia governor and Mikie Sherrill for New Jersey governor in contests drawing national attention.
- Obama criticized President Trump’s economic record, blaming tariff policies for higher household costs, and said threats to U.S. democracy are already evident.
- He faulted Republicans in Congress for not checking the president and warned the Supreme Court shows no willingness to rein in the administration’s excesses.
- The Nov. 4 elections include gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey and New York City’s mayoral contest, widely viewed as early tests of Trump’s second term, while O Globo reported Obama privately phoned NYC candidate Zohran Mamdani to offer advice.