In his first campaign appearance for a Democratic candidate in nearly a year, President Barack Obama will hit the campaign trail next week for Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, who's locked in a tight re-election race against Republican and ex-ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley.

Obama has been a frequent fundraiser but has been largely absent on the campaign trial during the midterm election season as his poor approval ratings are considered too toxic to risk for Democratic candidates in tight races.

He'll come out from the cold Oct. 15 for his first appearance in the fall election cycle in hopes of boosting Malloy's chances in a toss-up contest with Foley.

Obama won Connecticut by 17 percentage points in 2012.

The last time the president stumped for another candidate was on Nov. 3, 2013, when he campaigned for Virginia's gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, who went on to a narrow victory, the Wall Street Journal notes.

Obama also campaigned for Malloy in 2010.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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