Former President Obama endorsed Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D) in the New Jersey governor’s race in an ad on Friday as she vies against former GOP Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli to replace term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy (D) next month.

“Hey New Jersey. This is Barack Obama. And I want to talk to you about my friend, Mikie Sherrill. Mikie is a mom who will drive down costs for New Jersey families. As a federal prosecutor, and former Navy helicopter pilot, she worked to keep our communities safe,” Obama says in the 30-second ad released by Sherrill’s campaign.

“Mikie’s integrity, grit, and commitment to service are what we need right now in our leaders,” he continued. “Mikie Sherrill is the right choice for your next governor. So go vote by Nov. 4.”

Sherrill in a statement said she was “grateful” to have the former president’s endorsement, saying that “this November, we have an opportunity to chart a different path forward — to reject the chaos in Washington and lower costs in New Jersey” while also tying Ciattarelli to the President Trump and the government shutdown negotiations.

Obama’s endorsement offers Sherrill a last-minute boost in the final weeks of the gubernatorial race. The Decision Desk HQ polling index shows Sherrill leading Ciattarelli, 49 percent to 44 percent. 

The ad is particularly notable amid Democratic concerns that Black and Hispanic voters may sit out the election or vote for Ciattarelli. Trump made gains with those voters last November, though Sherrill is seeking to tie Ciattarelli to the president as public opinion of Trump declines. 

Obama has increasingly weighed in on political fights this fall, and threw his support behind another Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Abigail Spanberger, on Thursday.