Former President Barack Obama is urging voters to support Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D) and Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes on Election Day in two key Senate races.
Obama cut digital and radio ads highlighting Fetterman’s support for abortion access and record from his time as a mayor. Fetterman is locked in a tight race against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz as the candidates fight to replace retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R).
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“I’m asking you to vote for John Fetterman this Election Day, Nov. 8,” Obama says in the 30-second digital ad. “So when the fate of our democracy and a woman’s right to choose are on the line, I know John will fight for Pennsylvanians. You can count on John Fetterman. Make sure he can count on you.”
“When the fate of our democracy and a woman’s right to choose are on the line, I know John will fight for Pennsylvanians.”
Honored to have President Obama on this team ? pic.twitter.com/npSw6hXcxG
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) October 21, 2022
“I am deeply grateful for President Obama’s support in this race,” Fetterman said in a statement. “I was proud to be one of the only elected officials in western Pennsylvania to endorse President Obama in the 2008 presidential primary, and it is truly an honor for him to get behind our campaign and cut ads for us across the commonwealth.”
His campaign sent a fundraising email shortly after the announcement of Obama’s ads with the subject line “Thanks, Obama!”
Obama similarly released an ad on behalf of Barnes, the Democrat’s Senate nominee in Wisconsin, on Friday. The spot, which touts his “humble roots,” will air in the Milwaukee area through Election Day.
“Wisconsin, you’ve got a big responsibility this year. Control of the Senate is in your hands,” Obama says in the digital ad. “That’s why I’m proud to endorse Mandela Barnes.”
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Obama has been reserved with his endorsements this campaign cycle, only giving the nod to candidates for statewide office. This is a departure from the 342 total endorsements he gave during the last midterm cycle in 2018.
Republicans only need a net gain of five seats to flip control of the House and one seat to take control of the Senate.
