First lady Jill Biden is set to campaign Friday for Democrats in Virginia's and New Jersey's governor's races, trying to boost the party's political fortunes in her most overt way since arriving at the White House nine months ago.
She'll campaign with New Jersey incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy and former Virginia Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who is running to regain the post.
The Associated Press reports that the first lady will first appear at an early voting rally at Middlesex College in New Jersey, where she'll get out the vote for Murphy.
According to ABC News, a Democratic governor has not won reelection in New Jersey since the 1970s. However, Monmouth polling indicates that Murphy is currently squarely ahead of his competitor, former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli.
Following the event in New Jersey, Jill Biden will travel to suburban Richmond, Virginia, to appear at an event alongside McAuliffe.
The race for governor is tighter in Virginia, where McAuliffe has only a slim lead over Republican nominee Glenn Youngkin, a wealthy businessman. Monmouth polling in August found McAuliffe had just a five-point lead over Youngkin.
Jill Biden was an integral part of her husband's presidential campaign, but visits so close to Election Day on Nov. 2 underscore political stakes that go beyond those of the White House.
