Former President Barack Obama will return to the campaign trail this year in an effort to give a boost to the Democrat hoping to succeed Terry McAuliffe as governor of Virginia.

Obama will appear with Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who won the Democratic Party's nomination this month. Huffpost confirmed the news with both Northam and Obama's offices.

Northam, who fended off a strong progressive challenger in former congressman Tom Perriello, will face Republican nominee Ed Gillespie in the November contest. Under Virginia state law, McAuliffe, the incumbent, cannot serve out two consecutive terms.