Former President Barack Obama is back on the campaign trail, diving headfirst into the 2025 off-year elections with a mission to rally the Democratic faithful.
To boost voter turnout in a non-standard election year, Obama is stumping for Democratic gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia, while also pushing a significant ballot measure in California, all as his party seeks to recover from last year’s bruising losses when Republicans swept the White House, House, and Senate.
Let’s start with the Garden State, where Obama is set to campaign on Saturday alongside Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic hopeful for governor in New Jersey. His presence is a calculated move to energize a base that might otherwise snooze through an off-year contest. After all, without the glitz of a presidential race, turnout is the name of the game.
Next up, Obama heads to Virginia to throw his weight behind Abigail Spanberger, another Democratic gubernatorial candidate in need of a last-minute surge. A win for either Sherrill or Spanberger could be a shot in the arm for Democrats, who are still licking their wounds from last year’s electoral drubbing. It’s no secret the party is desperate for a morale boost at the state level.
Democrats have been leaning hard on state leaders like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to wield influence, especially since they’re out of power on Capitol Hill. Obama, long seen as a trusted voice in his party, understands the outsized role governors play in pushing back against federal overreach. It’s a pragmatic play, even if it’s not exactly a blockbuster strategy.
Now, let’s talk about Obama’s star power—or what’s left of it. A Gallup poll from earlier in 2025 pegged him as the most popular of the five living presidents, boasting a 59 percent approval rating. That’s nice on paper, but popularity doesn’t always translate to votes, especially a decade after leaving office.
Beyond the governor races, Obama is also wading into California’s political waters, urging voters to back Proposition 50, a ballot measure that could redraw the congressional map and potentially net Democrats up to five House seats. It’s a bold ask, and one that could shift the balance of power if it pans out. But convincing Californians to care about redistricting in an off-year? That’s a tall order, even for a smooth talker like Obama.
“California, the whole nation is counting on you,” Obama declared in a recent ad for the state. Count on California? That’s a hefty expectation for a state often criticized by conservatives for its progressive overreach—let’s see if voters there are swayed by the former president’s plea.
Obama has also been more vocal lately, taking jabs at President Trump and his administration’s policies, accusing them of undermining democratic norms. Allies say he’s deeply troubled by the current direction, fearing the nation can’t withstand another few years of what he sees as misguided governance. While his concern might resonate with some, others might question whether his critiques are more about relevance than results.
“Obama may have a few more gray hairs each cycle, but still has heat on his fastball coming out of the bullpen,” said Democratic strategist Eddie Vale. Nice metaphor, but let’s be real—fastballs lose speed over time, and Obama’s been out of the game for nearly a decade. His ability to fire up the base is undeniable, but turning enthusiasm into votes is another matter.
Even Democrats admit there are limits to Obama’s sway, pointing out that his endorsements in past cycles didn’t always move the needle. After all, campaign dynamics have shifted in a multimedia-saturated world where surrogates, no matter how charismatic, often take a backseat to the candidates themselves. It’s a harsh reality for a figure once hailed as a political rock star.
Obama’s low-profile approach since leaving office—only popping up around election time—might also dilute his impact. While he can still deliver a rousing speech, the question remains whether voters are listening to a voice from the past or looking for fresh faces to tackle today’s challenges. Nostalgia only carries so much weight in a rapidly changing political landscape.
Let’s not forget the stakes for Democrats, who see state-level wins as a firewall against federal policies they oppose. Governors’ races, often overlooked, could be a linchpin for maintaining some semblance of influence. Obama’s involvement might just be the nudge needed to remind the base that every vote counts, even in an off-year.
Still, conservatives might view this as a desperate Hail Mary from a party out of touch with mainstream America’s priorities. While Obama’s charm offensive could rally the Democratic faithful, it’s worth asking whether his message aligns with the broader electorate’s concerns—or if it’s just preaching to the choir. Only Tuesday’s results will tell if this weekend blitz paid off.
