HENRICO (Va.) - First lady Jill Biden campaigned for Democrats in Governors' Races in Virginia and New Jersey on Friday. She stated that "this election will establish a course for a calendar year from now" during the first political trip under her husband's presidency.
Biden spoke at the Edison College early voting rally, where Democratic Governor. Phil Murphy is challenging Republican Jack Ciattarelli (ex-member of the state Assembly). In suburban Richmond, Virginia she also attended an evening event with Terry McAuliffe (Democrat), a former governor, who is running for re-election. It was a tight race against Glenn Youngkin, a Republican and a businessman.
"We can't get complacent. We must get to work." The first lady, who was born and raised in New Jersey, clapped on the stage to "It's My Life" by Jon Bon Jovi. Jill Biden's joke, "Heck! Today's Friday" received the loudest applause. Go grab a beer, and vote!
Democrats were eager to increase turnout for off-year elections and dispatched the first lady in order to gather support for the Nov. 2 governors’ races. This is the first time Biden has been on the campaign trial since last year, when she volunteered for her husband's presidential campaign. It also highlights the political stakes for White House.
Virginia, where President Joe Biden won with a comfortable 10 percent margin last year, could see a loss in the governor's race. This would spell trouble for Democrats during the 2022 midterms when the control of Congress is in danger of being flipped to Republicans. Despite congressional battles over voting rights and infrastructure, the president's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level in his White House tenure.
The first lady ended her trip by speaking to about 300 people at a grassroots mobilizing rally in Henrico (Virginia). Protesters, who seemed to be criticizing federal fossil fuel subsidies, interrupted her twice. She laughed and said, "You have gotta love democracy."
Biden stated, "Virginia you need someone that you can trust, which is Terry McAuliffe." With Election Day fast approaching, she warned that misinformation could become more common online. She also said, "There are many people who like to twist words around." We know Terry. We are his friends."
McAuliffe called Biden his "very good friend" and stated, "I cannot even tell you how much is at stake." Youngkin was called a "wanta-be" by former President Donald Trump.
Recognizing the stakes, President Biden said Friday while on a Connecticut trip to the media: "Now, Look, I think everyone understands that the two gubernatorial election off-years are a sign of what might happen." Sometimes it's right, sometimes it's wrong.
He said, "I believe Terry will win." He may lose, but I don't know how much of that you put into it, but I believe he will win.
McAuliffe stated that Biden will be visiting Virginia in the next few days along with former President Barack Obama, and Stacey Abrams (the 2018 Georgia governor-elect candidate who rose to national prominence).
As Jill Biden's first lady, she traveled extensively across the country, including to the reliably red states, to promote issues such as public education, community college, school reopening, and encouraging people to get vaccinated.
