Sat Nov 08 06:40:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama Celebrates Democratic Victories, Urges Continued Effort
New York, NY – Former President Barack Obama lauded Democrats’ recent successes in Tuesday’s elections but cautioned that the party must continue to work to address the needs of all Americans. Speaking at a live taping of the podcast “Pod Save America” on Thursday, Obama highlighted key Democratic wins, including Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York City, as well as Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill’s gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey, respectively. The success of a Democrat-backed redistricting measure in California was also noted as a significant achievement.
Obama, who campaigned with Spanberger and Sherrill over the weekend and offered his support to Mamdani, emphasized the importance of candidates with integrity who believe in something. He pointed out that the American people are paying attention and respond positively to candidates who advocate for community, decency, and respect.
“It was good to see progressives get off the mat,” Obama said. “It was a good reminder that it turns out the American people are paying attention. They don’t want cruelty. They’re not looking for people on the top trying to entrench themselves in power. They believe in community. They believe in treating people with decency and respect.”
He further underscored that candidates “with integrity” resonated with voters. All three candidates ran on a platform of affordability — an issue that propelled President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in the 2024 election. Trump on Wednesday urged Republicans to focus more on the economy in their messaging.
Obama also identified the crucial role of young voters, noting that high percentages of voters aged 18-29 supported Democratic candidates and the redistricting measure. “When young people are engaged and involved, then we win,” he stated.
Looking forward, Obama stressed the need for Democrats to engage all Americans in a conversation about dignity, respect, opportunity, and community.
“Our job is to say that we want everybody engaged,” Obama said. “We want to have a conversation about how to make sure that every person in this country is treated with dignity and respect, and there are ladders of opportunity, and that there, there’s the possibility of community and that we’re getting along. Not in some cliched, phonied way, but in a genuine, deep way where we recognize, yeah, we have differences and yes, there are fights that are going to have to be fought, but that deep down, there is something core in us that we have in common that is extraordinary. And America at its best leans into this notion of e pluribus unum— out of many, can come one.”
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