Former President Barack Obama has backed candidates running in the most competitive races in the midterm elections, dishing out a slate of endorsements in the final month before the general election.
Obama has kept his endorsements to Senate and gubernatorial candidates thus far and has not endorsed any candidates running for the House of Representatives.
The former president has endorsed candidates in a multitude of ways, from appearing at campaign rallies to making a cameo in ads, and having hopefuls post videos of him making his support clear.
Texas Democratic Senate Candidate James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa were the first to receive Obama’s support when he appeared at an Austin taco joint with the pair in May. Texas held its primary elections two months prior, in which Talarico and Hinojosa won their respective nominations.
“It was great joining @JamesTalarico and @GinaHinojosaTX today in Texas,” Obama posted after the event. “They’re working hard to make a difference in the lives of all Texans, and will be able to do even more as your next Senator and Governor. Let’s get it done, Texas!”
The Texas Senate race has emerged as one of the marquee races of the midterm elections as Talarico takes on Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is endorsed by President Donald Trump. Hinojosa is facing incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX).
Next came Iowa Senate hopeful Josh Turek, who announced Obama’s backing in a campaign ad in which the two played a game of “I-O-W-A,” a play on the basketball game “horse.” Turek is facing Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) in the general election.
“I know a little something about winning Iowa,” Obama said in the video, referencing his 2008 victory in the Iowa caucus during his first presidential bid.
“Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa,” Obama said at the end of the video. “Let’s make sure that we send Josh Turek to the United States Senate.”
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The former president then held off from endorsing candidates as primary elections wrapped up, but hit the ground running in October.
Obama announced he would be joining Michigan Senate nominee Abdul el Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson at a campaign rally at the end of the month. While he has not clearly stated he endorses the two candidates, joining them for a rally makes his support clear, as Democrats see Michigan as a crucial Senate seat to win.
Both el Sayed and Benson are facing Trump-backed candidates as former Rep. Mike Rogers seeks the Senate seat and Rep. John James (R-MI) seeks the governor’s office.
On Wednesday, he backed New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland, who is running against Republican Gregg Hull.
“New Mexico, you have an opportunity to elect a real fighter as your next governor — Deb Haaland,” he said, referencing her start organizing for his 2008 campaign. “Deb and I started out as organizers, and we learned that leadership is about listening, getting to know people, and hearing their stories.”
“That’s what Deb did on my campaign, knocking on thousands of doors in Indian country, and all these years later, she’s still listening to folks in every corner of New Mexico,” Obama said.
Unlike Iowa and Texas, New Mexico is a less contested race as the state is reliably blue and most polls have Haaland carrying the race by a comfortable margin.
On Thursday, Obama endorsed three candidates in battleground states. Maine Senate candidate Troy Jackson, who is taking on Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), received Obama’s support in a video announcement touting Jackson’s work in the state legislature.
“After Roe was overturned, Troy helped protect the right to an abortion in Maine, and now we need Troy to deliver for us in the Senate,” Obama said. “So do not sit this one out. Get out there and vote for Troy Jackson.”
Collins has faced intense criticism on the campaign trail for her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was a crucial vote in overturning Roe v. Wade.
Also on Thursday, Obama endorsed two gubernatorial candidates: Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia and David Crowley in Wisconsin. In both endorsement videos, Obama championed the candidates’ plans to make their states more affordable. Bottoms faces healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson, while Crowley faces Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI).
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While Obama has announced support for multiple candidates in several battlegrounds, his lack of endorsement in other competitive races is also notable. The former president has not endorsed former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to reclaim his seat, nor Alaska Senate hopeful Mary Peltola.
With less than a month to go before voters head to the polls, Obama’s backing could move the needle in races Democrats see as key pickup opportunities as they vie to regain control of Congress.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
