Obama rallies for Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey gubernatorial race

NEWARK, NJ – Enthusiasm was excessive amongst Democratic voters in New Jersey who flocked to a neighborhood school campus Saturday night to hearken to former President Barack Obama rally help for Rep. Mikie Sherrill in her marketing campaign for governor.

“I heard Barack Obama was going to be right here. And I like Barack Obama, in order that’s actually why I got here right here,” one voter, Alexis of South Jersey, informed Fox Digital. “However I additionally help Mikie.”

“I need to hear Obama,” Robert from Spring Lake informed Fox Digital. “I feel lots of people need to hear Obama. Would not it’s nice to have a message of hope proper now?”

Tons of of supporters gathered a number of blocks across the Essex County Faculty gymnasium on Saturday to hearken to Obama and Sherrill because the New Jersey election neared its last days. The packed home was packed earlier than the “Get Out the Vote” rally formally began, with supporters additionally watching the rally from a packed parking zone.

SHERRILL STATES NJ ON A DEM BILL FOR OBAMA’S VISIT, REJECTS GOP MOMENTUM: ‘NO PURPLE STATE’

Former President Barack Obama throughout a marketing campaign occasion for Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for New Jersey, in Newark, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (Adam Grey/Getty Photos)

Outstanding audio system and attendees on the rally on Saturday celebrated Obama’s listening to but additionally repeatedly spoke about President Donald Trump, criticizing him for efforts to deport unlawful aliens and putting blame for the continuing federal authorities shutdown on Trump and Republicans.

A handful of voters who spoke to Fox Digital indicated that their vote was not solely targeted on Sherrill, but additionally a vote towards Trump and his administration.

“Nicely, the primary difficulty is Trump,” mentioned Robert of Spring Lake. “There’s nothing greater than that… Trump is absolutely the worst,” he added, citing Trump as being “anti-science” and towards schooling.

Democratic voters in New Jersey gathered round a number of blocks of Newark on November 1, forward of a rally headlined by former President Barack Obama. (Fox Information Digital)

“To get Trump out of workplace, primary,” a feminine South Jersey voter informed Fox Digital about why she got here to the rally and her most vital votes this election.

“I am voting for Mikie Sherrill as a result of she really understands all folks. She’s not a minion for Trump,” one other South Jersey voter added.

CLIFF PENDANT: CIATTARELLI, SHERRILL CLAIM THE OVERHAND IN CRUCIAL NEW JERSEY SHOWDOWN FOR GOVERNOR

Obama additionally tended to criticize Trump throughout his remarks to the group, claiming that the present financial system has benefited “Trump’s billionaire buddies” whereas “strange households” pay larger costs on the checkouts due to Trump’s “shambolic tariff insurance policies.”

Distributors arrange tables with anti-Trump gear outdoors Democratic New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill’s rally in Newark. (Fox Information Digital)

“Let’s face it, our nation and our politics are in a fairly darkish place proper now,” Obama informed the group on Saturday. “It is arduous to know the place to start out, as a result of day-after-day this White Home gives a brand new dose of lawlessness, carelessness and pettiness. And simply plain previous insanity.”

The feedback focusing on Trump and his administration additionally prolonged to assaults on Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciatarelli, with Obama portraying him because the president’s toady and a “suck up” for the Republican Celebration.

Only a yr in the past, Trump reached voters in New Jersey along with his decisive election victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump reduce his 2020 loss from 16 factors within the Backyard State to 6 in 2024 and switched 5 counties to the Republican Celebration, encouraging Republicans within the state to maintain the momentum going as Ciatarelli launched his bid for Drumthwacket.

“Please vote,” Irvington Councilor Charnette Frederic informed Fox Digital. “And I hope Obama is the ultimate push to remind you.”

WITH LEGACY IN THE FIELD, OBAMA REACHES CAMPAIGN TRAIL TO ENCOURAGE DEMOCRATS IN IMPORTANT GOVERNOR ELECTIONS

Former President Barack Obama speaks throughout a ‘Get Out the Vote’ rally for gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill on the Essex County Faculty Gymnasium on November 1, 2025 in Newark. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Photos)

Frederic, an Irvington councilor since 2012, mentioned Obama’s presence within the state at earlier marketing campaign rallies has spurred an inflow of voters, noting she hopes the identical factor will occur Tuesday.

“I’m an immigrant and I imagine in treating folks with respect and dignity,” Frederic mentioned. “No matter I see now, this isn’t the type of alternative we wish for our folks,” including that Sherrill will “stand for the folks” towards the White Home’s positions on immigration and different insurance policies.

Sherrill, DNC Chairman Ken Martin, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and different native Democrats took the venue stage to rally help for Sherrill, whereas additionally criticizing the Trump administration.

DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY HOPES FOR ‘NO KINGS’ PROTEST, PROMISE TO FIGHT TRUMP ‘TOOTH AND NAIL’

The doorway to the “Get Out the Vote” rally for Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, on the Essex County Faculty Gymnasium. (Fox Information Digital)

“However my combat doesn’t and can’t finish on the New Jersey border. We now have to soak up all these hits coming from Trump and Washington DC. As a result of proper now the president is working a world extortion racket. You pay extra for every little thing, from the espresso you drink within the morning to the groceries you utilize to arrange dinner within the night, whereas Trump pockets billions. His power plan is designed for one viewers solely: the fossil gasoline business,” Sherrill claimed.

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Throughout this off-year election cycle, New Jersey and Virginia will maintain gubernatorial elections, whereas different jurisdictions, akin to New York Metropolis, will maintain mayoral and different native races.