President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will hit the campaign trail together later this month in Cleveland, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday.

The Obamas will headline an Oct. 17 fundraiser for Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland. From there, they will head to Columbus for a previously announced Democratic National Committee rally, Gibbs said during a briefing.

The joint appearance marks the first time the president and first lady will have campaigned together in the lead-up to the midterm elections.