Obama Rallies Support for Sherrill in New Jersey Governor Race Amidst Anti-Trump Sentiment

The enthusiasm was palpable at Essex County College’s gymnasium in Newark, New Jersey, this Saturday as hundreds of Democratic voters gathered to hear former President Barack Obama rally support for Rep. Mikie Sherrill in her campaign for governor. The crowd was so large that it wrapped around multiple blocks, with the auditorium reaching capacity before the “Get Out the Vote” rally officially began. Many supporters had to watch from an overflow parking lot, demonstrating the significant draw of Obama’s presence in this crucial final stretch before Election Day. For many attendees, Obama was the main attraction, with voters like Alexis from South Jersey explicitly stating, “I heard Barack Obama was gonna be here. And I love Barack Obama, so I really came out here for that.” Another voter, Robert from Spring Lake, expressed what seemed to be a common sentiment: “I think a lot of people want to hear Obama. Wouldn’t it be great to have a message of hope at this point in time?”

While Obama’s star power was undeniable, the rally quickly revealed a prominent secondary theme: opposition to former President Donald Trump. Many voters interviewed by Fox Digital framed their support for Sherrill not just as an endorsement of her policies but as a stand against Trump and his administration. “Well, the top issue is Trump,” said Robert from Spring Lake. “There’s nothing else other than that… Trump is absolutely the worst.” Another South Jersey voter bluntly stated that her top voting concern was “to get Trump out of office, number one,” while yet another described supporting Sherrill “because she actually understands all the people. She is not a minion for Trump.” This anti-Trump sentiment was widespread among attendees, suggesting that for many New Jersey Democrats, the upcoming gubernatorial election represents more than just a state leadership contest—it’s viewed as part of a broader resistance to Trump’s political influence.

Obama himself embraced this framing during his remarks, delivering pointed criticism of the Trump administration. “Let’s face it, our country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now,” Obama told the audience. “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 claimed the current economy has primarily benefited “Trump’s billionaire friends” while “ordinary families” face higher prices due to what he called Trump’s “shambolic tariff policy.” Obama extended his criticism to Republican gubernatorial candidate Ciattarelli, portraying him as subservient to Trump and the Republican Party, calling him a “suck up” to the GOP.

The rally’s focus on Trump comes at an interesting political moment in New Jersey. Despite being traditionally considered a Democratic stronghold, Trump made significant inroads with New Jersey voters in the recent presidential election, cutting his 2020 loss from 16 points to just six points and flipping five counties to the Republican column. This shift has energized Republicans in the state, with Ciattarelli hoping to capitalize on this momentum in his bid for governorship. Sherrill and her supporters seemed acutely aware of this challenge, with Irvington Councilwoman Charnette Frederic expressing hope that “Obama is the last push” needed to motivate Democratic voters. Frederic, who has served since 2012, recalled how Obama’s presence in past campaign rallies had spurred voter turnout, and she expressed hope for a similar effect ahead of Tuesday’s election.

When taking the stage, Sherrill framed her candidacy not just in terms of state governance but as part of a broader resistance to Trump’s policies. “My fight doesn’t and can’t end at the border of New Jersey,” she declared. “We’ve got to take on all those hits coming from Trump and Washington, D.C.” She accused the president of “running a worldwide extortion racket” and claimed his policies force voters to “pay more for everything from the coffee you drink in the morning to the groceries you’re cooking dinner with at night.” She particularly criticized Trump’s energy policy, claiming it “is designed for just one audience. The fossil fuel industry.” This approach of nationalizing the state race appeared to resonate with the crowd, further underscoring how much the gubernatorial contest has become intertwined with national political dynamics.

As New Jersey enters the final days before the election, this rally highlights the distinctive nature of the 2025 electoral landscape. With just New Jersey and Virginia holding gubernatorial elections in this off-year cycle (alongside local races in places like New York City), these contests take on outsized importance as potential bellwethers for the political climate. For Democrats like Sherrill, mobilizing their base through figureheads like Obama while capitalizing on anti-Trump sentiment appears to be a central strategy. Meanwhile, Republicans hope that Trump’s recent improved performance in the state signals a shifting political tide. As Councilwoman Frederic urged attendees, “Please go out and vote”—a simple yet urgent reminder of what’s at stake in an election that both parties view as pivotal not just for New Jersey’s future, but as an indicator of broader political currents across the country.