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Former President Obama campaigns with Ralph Northam 

Posted at 12:55 PM, Oct 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-19 12:57:06-04

RICHMOND, Va. - Former President Barack Obama campaigned with Ralph Northam, the democratic candidate for Virginia governor, during a rally on Thursday evening at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The rally marked President Obama's first day back on the campaign trail since leaving office last January.

"It's good to be back," the former president told the crowd of more than 6,000.

Full Coverage: 2017 Virginia Gubernatorial Election

While Obama didn't mention President Donald Trump by name, he made is opinion clear on the divisiveness that's taken hold of Washington. "Folks don't feel good about what they see right now," he said.

Northam leads Ed Gillespie, the republican candidate, in the polls, but a new poll from Christopher Newport University shows a tightening race with a four point lead for Northam.

Obama told the crowd that they needed to take the election seriously, despite it being an off-year. "We need you to take this seriously because our democracy is at stake," he said. "It's at stake in Virginia."