Watch: President Obama Speaks At Virginia Campaign Rally

RICHMOND, VA — Throwing his weight behind the Democratic nominee, President Obama delivered a speech Thursday night at a rally for Virginia governor candidate Ralph Northam in Richmond. You can watch a replay of the event on Patch.

The event marks Obama's return to the campaign stage for the first time since Hillary Clinton's failed bid for the presidency. Though the former president has largely stayed out of politics since President Trump was elected, he has made a handful of public appearances and statements over the last nine months. And after white supremacist protests led to the death of a young woman in Charlottesville, Virginia, Obama's post on Twitter urging respect and denouncing hate became the most-liked tweet ever.

His return to the political frontlines has been seen as an effort to encourage black voters to go to the polls and support the Northam. The Virginia governor's race has become one of the most closely watched elections this year, with many Democrats hoping a win will be seen as a rebuke to the GOP-controlled federal government.

(For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Watch Obama's speech here.

Write a letter to the editor of the White House Patch.

Like us on Facebook.

Follow us on Twitter.

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images