Former President Barack Obama campaigned in Norfolk, Virginia, on November 1, 2025, headlining a get-out-the-vote rally for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger while attorney general nominee Jay Jones returned to the trail amid backlash over violent 2022 texts. The event underscored Democrats’ bid to mobilize voters before the November 4 elections and came as a month-long federal shutdown and SNAP funding fights dominated state politics.
NORFOLK, Va. — Former President Barack Obama headlined a Democratic rally at Chartway Arena on Old Dominion University’s campus on Saturday, urging supporters to elect Abigail Spanberger governor and boost the rest of the ticket just three days before Virginia’s November 4 elections. Local transit officials flagged the rally and its timing, and national outlets reported Obama also stumped in New Jersey the same day. (gohrt.com)
The appearance came as Jay Jones, Democrats’ nominee for attorney general, continues to face fallout from 2022 text messages in which he used violent language about then–House Speaker Todd Gilbert, including musing about a hypothetical shooting and referencing Gilbert’s family. Jones has acknowledged sending the texts and apologized; Republicans have urged him to withdraw. (washingtonpost.com)
Jones spoke early at the Norfolk rally and did not address the controversy. Instead, he cast Republican incumbent Jason Miyares as aligned with President Donald Trump, calling Miyares a “willing enabler” and criticizing Trump over alleged illegal firings and tariffs that he claimed harm Virginia’s economy, including the Port of Virginia, according to Politico’s account of the event. The crowd responded warmly. (politico.com)
Obama praised Spanberger’s tone and approach, framing her as a unifier who favors civil discourse. “She knows… that we have to be able to disagree without calling each other nasty names or demonizing each other,” he said, according to coverage of the speech. (dailywire.com)
Spanberger echoed that message from the stage: “As Governor, I will work with anyone and everyone to get the job done for Virginians.” Republicans highlighted a separate clip circulated by RNC Research a day earlier in which Spanberger said she would not work with Trump to create jobs; Democrats have emphasized her focus on lowering costs and protecting workers during the shutdown. (dailywire.com)
Prominent Democrats including Sen. Tim Kaine urged votes for Jones at the rally. “I met Jay Jones when he was 11 years old. I have known him for 25 years,” Kaine said in remarks reported from the event. (politico.com)
The rally also unfolded against the backdrop of a prolonged federal government shutdown that has threatened November SNAP benefits. Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to shore up food assistance, while federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ordered the administration to use emergency reserves to keep SNAP flowing during the shutdown. (dss.virginia.gov)
Republicans cast Democrats’ reliance on Obama as “Democrat nostalgia,” in the words of Republican Governors Association spokesperson Courtney Alexander. Democratic strategists, meanwhile, view strong showings by Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey as potential momentum builders heading into the 2026 midterms. (politico.com)
