By Gabriella Borter

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Former President Barack Obama joins a list of prominent Democrats who are campaigning for Terry McAuliffe for Virginia Governor. This race is seen as a gauge of America’s political direction following the election of Joe Biden (a Democrat), to the presidency.

In opinion polls McAuliffe was Virginia’s governor, from 2014-2018. Republican Glenn Youngkin came in close second.

A poll this week by Monmouth University https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_VA_102021 showed Youngkin, 54, had closed McAuliffe’s 5-point lead since September by gaining ground with independent and women voters.

Democrats are worried about Youngkin’s performance in the polls over the first week of early voting. Democrats had anticipated a comfortable lead for a state with a trending blue in recent decades. Trump was defeated twice by Democrats in Virginia in 2019, when he lost it 10 percent.

Obama will give a speech at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond Saturday afternoon. He is aiming to support McAuliffe (64) in his final leg. McAuliffe will be joined by Biden next week.

Obama supported McAuliffe in a Wednesday television commercial.

Obama spoke highly of Terry as he stood firm on the values that all Americans care about, including protecting citizens’ rights to vote, combating climate change, and defending women’s freedom to choose.

Ralph Northam is a Democrat and the current governor cannot be reelected because of state law that prohibits consecutive term governors. McAuliffe may run, as he was elected in 2018 after leaving office.

To increase voter engagement for the off-year election both candidates have delved into culturally hotly debated issues, such as abortion rights and the way schools discuss race and racism.

McAuliffe sought to label Youngkin a far-right extremist, and align him closely with Trump, who has publicly endorsed him.

Youngkin suggested, in turn, that McAuliffe was trying to promote a far left agenda. Youngkin, who was formerly a private equity executive has maintained a focus on education, particularly the right for parents to decide how their children are educated. This has been popular among suburban women.

Youngkin has walked a delicate line between accepting Trump’s endorsement, and distancing him from Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

Youngkin declared his disassociation from the rally to support him last week. It was attended by Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump aide, and Trump, who talked by telephone. Participants pledged their allegiance at the event to the flag which event leaders claimed was there on January 6, 2017, when Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol.

Youngkin released a statement stating that it was wrong to pledge allegiance for a flag connected to Jan. 6.