President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday. Aaron Schwartz/Sipa/Bloomberg/Getty Images Whippany, New Jersey —

Donald Trump may not be on the ballot in the fall’s biggest political races, but both sides are counting on him to help them win.

A year after winning back the White House, Republicans are racing to motivate voters who love the president and Democrats are rallying those who don’t, as the races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia play out as an early referendum on Trump’s second term.

“If you get a flat tire on the way home today, she’s going to blame President Trump,” said Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee in New Jersey, drawing laughs as he takes aim at his Democratic rival, Rep. Mikie Sherrill. “There’s nothing she won’t blame

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