Obama Backs Shapiro in Pennsylvania Race as Midterm Push Intensifies

Former President Barack Obama formally endorsed Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s bid for re-election on Friday, signaling an escalation in his involvement in critical Senate and gubernatorial contests ahead of the November midterms. The announcement came via a video statement first obtained by CBS News, in which Obama highlighted the governor’s integrity and urged Pennsylvanians to support his campaign.

“Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro has your back — and in this election, I’m asking you to have his,” Obama stated. The former president lauded Shapiro’s record while contrasting it with what he described as the “chaos, cruelty and corruption” currently characterizing Washington leadership, emphasizing the need to elect officials who uphold decency.

This endorsement is part of a larger strategy by Obama to aid Democratic candidates nationwide, with the former president producing approximately two dozen video messages for Senate and gubernatorial hopefuls. Earlier on Thursday, he released spots supporting Jon Ossoff in Georgia, Maine Senate candidate Troy Jackson, Georgia gubernatorial contender Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Wisconsin’s David Crowley. Obama is also slated to campaign for Michigan senatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed later this month.

According to a CNN poll released this summer, Obama remains one of the most popular figures within the Democratic Party. Political observers have noted his return to the role of a surrogate “closer,” a function he has played in previous election cycles since departing the White House a decade ago. His current efforts are aimed at helping Democrats secure control of Congress and key state governorships on Nov. 3.

Shapiro, who is running for a second four-year term, faces Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity. Data indicates the Democratic incumbent holds a significant advantage with less than a month until Election Day. A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday showed Shapiro leading Garrity by 25 percentage points among likely voters, alongside a 63% job approval rating. Additionally, a New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena poll from late September found him ahead by 20 points.

Shapiro’s strong position in Pennsylvania, a pivotal battleground state in presidential elections, has also reignited speculation regarding his potential candidacy in the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. Despite this, he has consistently stated that his immediate priority is securing re-election.

The political alliance between Shapiro and Obama spans nearly two decades, originating when Shapiro served in the state legislature and backed Obama’s 2008 presidential primary campaign. In the new endorsement video, Obama referred to Shapiro as a “friend” and noted that the governor was one of his earliest supporters. The two have also drawn comparisons regarding their oratory styles; Vice President JD Vance once remarked in 2024 that Shapiro’s speaking manner resembled an impression of Obama. When asked about the comment at the time, Shapiro responded that Obama was likely the most gifted orator of their era, suggesting the comparison was more compliment than insult.