Former President Barack Obama's appearance for Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam comes as former Vice President Joe Biden campaigns for him on Saturday. | Saul Loeb/Getty Images Obama to campaign for Northam

Former President Barack Obama will campaign for Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam in the gubernatorial race next week in Richmond.

The two men will host a rally together on Thursday evening.


Obama's long-planned entrance into the contest comes as the race is drawing more national attention. President Donald Trump recently endorsed former Republican National Committee Chair Ed Gillespie, and Vice President Mike Pence is set to campaign for Gillespie on Saturday in the state's southwest, while former Vice President Joe Biden will campaign in the state's Democratic-leaning D.C. suburbs on the same day.

Northam has a small but steady lead in public polling.

