Former President Barack Obama swooped into Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, to drum up last-minute support for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
At a packed "Get Out the Vote" event at Essex County College Gymnasium, Obama headlined a rally that drew hundreds of enthusiastic supporters, with lines stretching around multiple blocks and overflow crowds watching from a nearby parking lot, according to Fox News.
This wasn’t just a pep rally; it was a full-on offensive against President Donald Trump and GOP gubernatorial hopeful Jack Ciattarelli, as the New Jersey election nears its final stretch.
The gymnasium reached capacity before the event even began, a testament to the drawing power of Obama and the stakes of this off-year election, alongside races in Virginia and local contests like those in New York City.
Hundreds of supporters, unable to squeeze inside, settled for screens in the parking lot, while vendors outside peddled anti-Trump gear to capitalize on the charged atmosphere.
Prominent Democrats, including Sherrill herself, DNC chair Ken Martin, and Sen. Cory Booker, joined Obama on stage, each taking their turn to rally the base.
Obama didn’t hold back, slamming Trump’s economic policies as a boon for wealthy elites while leaving everyday families to foot the bill through higher tariffs and rising costs.
“Let's face it, our country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now,” Obama declared, painting the current administration as reckless and out of touch with ordinary Americans.
“It's hard to know where to start, because every day this White House offers up a fresh batch of lawlessness and carelessness and mean-spiritedness. And just plain old craziness,” he continued, doubling down on his critique.
Sherrill, for her part, framed her candidacy as a firewall against what she sees as damaging policies emanating from Washington, particularly those related to energy and trade.
“But my fight doesn't and can't end at the border of New Jersey. We've got to take on all those hits coming from Trump and Washington, D.C.,” Sherrill told the crowd, linking her campaign to a broader resistance.
Many attendees echoed this sentiment, with some admitting their vote for Sherrill was as much a stand against Trump as it was support for her platform.
The crowd’s energy wasn’t just about Sherrill—Obama’s star power clearly pulled in folks hungry for a nostalgic dose of hope, or at least a sharp jab at the current administration.
Irvington Councilwoman Charnette Frederic, a local leader since 2012, noted Obama’s history of boosting turnout in the state, urging the crowd with, “Please go out and vote. And I'm hoping Obama is the last push to remind you.”
While the rally pulsed with Democratic fervor, it’s worth a nod to the other side—Trump’s recent gains in New Jersey have lit a fire under Republicans, giving Ciattarelli’s campaign a noticeable boost as the race tightens.
