Former President Barack Obama reportedly lent his support Friday to Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) in her bid for governor, delivering a pre-recorded endorsement aimed at boosting her candidacy against Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
The ad, released by Sherrill’s campaign, came as Democrats face concerns about voter turnout among key demographics and as Sherrill seeks to maintain a narrow lead in the race.
“Hey New Jersey. This is Barack Obama. And I want to talk to you about my friend, Mikie Sherrill,” Obama said in the 30-second spot. “Mikie is a mom who will drive down costs for New Jersey families. As a federal prosecutor, and former Navy helicopter pilot, she worked to keep our communities safe. Mikie’s integrity, grit, and commitment to service are what we need right now in our leaders. Mikie Sherrill is the right choice for your next governor. So go vote by Nov. 4.”
Sherrill welcomed the endorsement, framing it as a chance for voters to reject what she described as “the chaos in Washington” while tying her Republican opponent to President Donald Trump. “This November, we have an opportunity to chart a different path forward — to reject the chaos in Washington and lower costs in New Jersey,” Sherrill said.
The timing of Obama’s endorsement is significant, arriving in the final weeks of the campaign as polling shows a tight contest. According to the Decision Desk HQ polling index, Sherrill holds a 49 percent to 44 percent lead over Ciattarelli.
Democrats have expressed concern that historically supportive Black and Hispanic voters may be less motivated this year, particularly in a midterm environment, giving Republicans an opening to make gains in key suburban and urban areas.
Sherrill has sought to position Ciattarelli as closely aligned with Trump. By linking her opponent to the GOP president, Sherrill’s campaign aims to consolidate Democratic voters and moderate swing voters who may be skeptical of Trump’s influence.
Obama’s involvement in the race underscores the Democratic Party’s reliance on high-profile endorsements to bolster vulnerable candidates, particularly in competitive state-level contests.
This week, Obama also endorsed former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) in her bid for governor of Virginia, reflecting the former president’s broader effort to shape the electoral map ahead of November.
Sherrill’s campaign highlighted her experience as a former federal prosecutor and Navy pilot, emphasizing her record of service and law enforcement credentials. Yet Republicans argue that Sherrill’s ties to the Democratic establishment and her reliance on Obama’s endorsement illustrate a dependence on national figures rather than local governance experience.
The endorsement, while boosting Sherrill’s visibility, also reinforces the ideological and generational divide between establishment Democrats and Republican challengers who are focusing on voter concerns like taxes, cost of living, and government accountability. As the election draws closer, Sherrill’s ability to convert national support into votes on the ground in New Jersey will be closely watched.
In a state where turnout among key demographic groups will be decisive, Obama’s high-profile intervention signals both the urgency and fragility of Sherrill’s campaign, even as Republicans press voters on economic issues and skepticism toward Washington politics.
[READ MORE: NBC News Cuts 150 Jobs, Ends Diversity Units in Major Shake-Up]
