Former President Barack Obama will campaign in Gary on Sunday for Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly and other candidates down the ticket.

Obama's visit comes as the national spotlight shines on the tightly contested race between Donnelly and Republican businessman Mike Braun. The outcome of the race could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.

President Donald Trump has campaigned on behalf of Braun in Evansville and Elkhart and will visit Indianapolis Friday and Fort Wayne Monday. He also spoke Saturday at the annual FFA convention at Banker's Life Fieldhouse.

Obama's rally will be at the Genesis Convention Center in downtown Gary. Doors open at noon. It's unclear what time he will speak.

Obama is expected to encourage Hoosiers to vote early and to volunteer on Election Day.

“It’s an honor to invite President Obama back to Indiana to fire up thousands of Hoosiers and get them out to vote early, knock doors, and elect Democrats up and down the ticket this coming Tuesday,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair John Zody in a prepared statement. “President Obama is a reminder of the positive change each and every one of us can make if we work together to move our country forward, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him get out the vote less than two days before a crucial midterm election.”

No tickets will be available on site. Tickets are available at:

► 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. central time Thursday at the Genesis Center, 1 Genesis Plaza Gary.

► 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. central time Friday at Hammond Downtown Park, 233 Russell St., Hammond.

► 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday central time at Wicker Memorial Park Social Center Breezeway, 8554 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland.

►8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Osan & Paton, 55 S. Franklin St., Valparaiso.

► Hoosiers unable to visit those sites in person can request a ticket at www.INDems.org/Obama.

Call IndyStar reporter Chris Sikich at 317-444-6036. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisSikich and at facebook.com/chris.sikich.



