NORFOLK, Va. — Former President Barack Obama and Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate in Virginia's governor's race, rallied together at Chartway Arena on Saturday.
The purpose of this event: energize Democratic voters.
Politics
Where Virginia's governor's race stands as Obama visits Norfolk
The Republican candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, spent Saturday campaigning in Abingdon and Loudon County. The lieutenant governor also has plans to rally voters in Virginia Beach.
To get the GOP perspective, News 3 spoke with Mason Di Palma, the communications director for the Republican State Leadership, who said this event is evidence that Democrats have failed to move on from Obama.
"I just don't think that President Obama has the same kind of gusto and appeal that he had during his presidency when he was running," Di Palma said. "I think Democrats are still constantly trying to relive the Obama years."
Earle-Sears discussed Obama's endorsement of Spanberger when she was door-knocking in Chesapeake earlier this month.
“He’s a Democrat. I mean, what else did you expect? The question is, did he endorse Jay Jones? That’s the question, and the question is did he, President Obama, ask Abigail Spanberger why she has not withdrawn her endorsement of Jay Jones, who advocated for the murder of his political opponent and the murder of his two children," Earle-Sears said.
On the topic of presidential endorsements, Trump did not mention Earle-Sears by name, but said he supports "the Republican candidate" in Virginia's governor's race.
"Well, I think the Republican candidate is very good and I think she should win because the Democrat candidate's a disaster," Trump said.
The rally for Spanberger kicked off with the pledge of allegiance, national anthem, and an invocation, which was delivered by Portsmouth Bishop Jerome Williams.
Watch related coverage: Earle-Sears, Spanberger rally Hampton Roads voters
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander began the rally with a welcome, and a call for voters to turnout on Election Day.
The Democratic candidate for attorney general, former Del. Jay Jones, then took the podium. He discussed his upbringing in Hampton Roads and how it informed his decision to pursue public office.
The threatening text controversy that has surrounded Jones was not mentioned during his speech.
Watch: Democratic candidate for Attorney General Jay Jones speaks at Chartway Arena rally
"My grandparents and parents started here, fighting for civil rights," Jones said.
Jones pivoted to criticize his Republican opponent, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares. The Democratic candidate condemned Miyares as what he called an "enabler" of President Trump's agenda. During his speech, Jones pledged to protect reproductive rights.
Miyares, all other GOP candidates on the statewide ticket, and Trump have called on Jones to drop out of the race after news surfaced of years-old text messages in which Jones wished violence on a former Virginia House Speaker and his family. Jones did issue an apology after the threatening text messages garnered news coverage.
"I view this apology as him trying to save his political career because he's a politician — he's not a prosecutor. And so I think this election now is much more about who is the best person to keep us safe. It's about right versus wrong. It's about a basic standard of decency we should expect of our leaders," Miyares previously told News 3.
The Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, spoke after Jones. At the podium, Hashmi pledged to protect public schools, reproductive rights, and healthcare if she is elected as lieutenant governor. She regularly touted her experience as an english teacher.
Watch: Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Ghazala Hashmi speaks at Chartway Arena rally
The crowd erupted into boos after Hashmi referenced Earle-Sears' tenure as lieutenant governor — specifically, in regards to the policy of school voucher programs. The state senator also harped on Earle-Sears' comments regarding LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workforce, which the lieutenant governor said is not discrimination during the debate at Norfolk State. Hashmi pointed out that the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, former radio host John Reid, is an openly gay man.
The Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, State Sen. L. Louise Lucas, and U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott all used their speaking time to praise the Democratic ticket, while urging attendees to flood the polls come Election Day.
"Vote blue, all the way through," Scott said.
House Speaker Don Scott and Sen. Tim Kaine echoed their predecessors' sentiments.
Watch: Sen. Tim Kaine delivers remarks at Chartway Arena rally
Kaine discussed his previous gubernatorial campaign and how it led to his first meeting with Obama, who was a senator representing Illinois at the time. The senator praised Obama for his electoral success in Virginia, saying it sent a loud message for the rest of the nation — something Kaine hopes to repeat.
"We are first in line to bat for democracy at a time when there are people pushing against it," Kaine said.
During House Speaker Scott's speech, he made fun of Republican rhetoric during the Obama administration and later led the crowd in a chant of all the statewide Democratic candidates' names.
Around 3:00 p.m., Spanberger took the stage. She was greeted with loud cheers as she made her way to the podium.
Watch full: Spanberger tells crowd in Norfolk that she will always put Virginia above party, the president
"Let me ask you, is Virginia ready for leadership that puts our commonwealth first?" Spanberger began.
The Democratic candidate discussed her upbringing in a household that she says was dedicated to public service. Spanberger's father worked in law enforcement, while her mother worked as a nurse.
Spanberger went on to tout her record in federal law enforcement, pointing to her time in the Central Intelligence Agency as an officer tasked with counter-terrorism.
Virginia's role in American history was then covered by Spanberger, she referenced the beginning of the General Assembly and the 20th century student walk outs that would alter lead to the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Spanberger talked about her first successful bid for Congress during President Trump's first term — the Democratic candidate for governor previously unseated an incumbent Republican congressman by just over 6,000 votes during the 2018 midterm elections.
She claimed to be the most bipartisan member of Congress during her tenure, saying she's sponsored bills signed by both President Trump and President Biden. This led to Spanberger discussing how she will apply the principle of bipartisanship if she is elected as governor.
For context, the Lugar Center has ranked each and every congressperson on their perceived "bipartisanship." Spanberger, during her time in the 116th Congress, was ranked the 9th most bipartisan, according to the Lugar Center.
The Lugar Center uses a formula called the "Bipartisan Index" to measure how often members of Congress work with lawmakers from the other political party. The index looks at the bills they sponsor and co-sponsor to see how frequently they reach across the aisle.
"I will always put Virginia — not a president or a party — first," Spanberger said.
Spanberger highlighted her policies and focus on affordability throughout the campaign. She then claimed to have taken inspiration from the person slated to speak after her: Former President Barack Obama.
After Spanberger spoke for around 30 minutes, Obama took the stage.
Watch full: Former President Obama tells crowd in Norfolk that the choice for Virginia's next governor is clear
The crowd almost immediately began chanting "Obama" upon the former president's entrance.
Obama went on to discuss the last time he was in Hampton Roads, during his campaign for reelection in 2012. He immediately reaffirmed his endorsement of Spanberger, urging the crowd to get out the vote. The former president went on to criticize the Trump administration. Obama took aim at President Trump's Justice Department, immigration crackdown, health policy, and what he calls a lack of focus on affordability.
"It's like every day is Halloween, except its all tricks and no treats," Obama joked.
Watch: Obama says Trump's second term is like 'every day is Halloween'
Obama then accused the Trump administration of being too favorable towards billionaires and his own family's interest. He pivoted to criticize President Trump and Republicans for the current government shutdown.
"They never missed a chance to scapegoat minorities and DEI," Obama claimed.
The former president discussed Spanberger's background and why he believes this has equipped her with the apt skills to be the next governor of Virginia. He echoed the previously mentioned claim that she was the most bipartisan member of Congress.
Obama then criticized Earle-Sears, pointing to a TV interview she gave on the topic of federal firings under the Trump administration. The former president accused Earle-Sears of putting her political party and the president ahead of Virginians.
"You deserve a governor like Abigail Spanberger," Obama said. "At the end of the day, what this election is about, what politics and democracy is always about: is values."
Then, Obama changed topics, discussing what he calls this nation's "true revolutionary spirit." The former president pointed to numerous points in American history where the fight for equal rights took the forefront.
"That's what made us special," Obama said.
The civil war, women's rights movement, and unionization efforts were addressed directly in Obama's speech. The former president said turbulent times will bring about leaders that work to unite Americans.
"We need leaders who won't serve bosses in Washington, or big corporate donors, but will instead serve the people that put them there — Virginians we need leaders like Abigail Spanberger," Obama said.
Obama claimed the Trump administration's actions should energize dissenting voters. He harped again on the importance of elections and widespread voter participation.
"We all have more power than we think," Obama said.
The former president again urged attendees to show up to the polls in large numbers on Election Day.
"Thank you Norfolk, god bless you, god bless these United States of America," Obama concluded.
Early voting ended on Nov. 1 — Election Day is Nov. 4.
