Obama to stump for Democrat in Virginia governor’s race

RICHMOND, Va. — Former President Barack Obama is set to return to the campaign trail for the first time since he left office with a rally to help Democrat Ralph Northam in Virginia’s race for governor.

The campaign announced Wednesday that the lieutenant governor and Obama will appear at an event in Richmond on Oct. 19.

The focus of the rally will be “the need for the next governor to create economic opportunity for all Virginians,” according to Northam’s campaign.

Obama has largely stayed out of the political spotlight since leaving office in January. But Virginia is one of only two states electing new governors this year and the swing state’s contest is viewed as a possible early referendum on President Donald Trump