BY OLYMPIA MEOLA

First Lady Michelle Obama plans to visit Virginia later this week, on the heels of President Barack Obama’s recent two-day, five-stop tour through Virginia.

The first lady is scheduled to hold events on Friday in Fredericksburg and Charlottesville, according to a campaign official. No other details were available at this time.

Michelle Obama visited Northern Virginia in June to campaign for her husband’s re-election bid, and Richmond in May for a public campaign rally at Virginia Commonwealth University. In January, she attended fundraisers in Richmond and Charlottesville.

In 2008, Obama carried Virginia by 6 percentage points, becoming the first Democrat in 44 years to win its electoral votes.

This year, Virginia’s swing-state status is more evident at this stage of the election cycle than before.  

President Obama spent two days in Virginia last week, making appearances in Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Glen Allen and Centreville. 

UPDATE: The Obama campaign today released more details about the first lady’s trip, which will be part of the campaign’s Women Vote 2012 Summit Tour.

“The First Lady will speak about what’s at stake in this election for Virginians, encourage supporters to register to vote and volunteer for the campaign, and thank volunteers for their hard work to help re-elect President Obama in November,” the campaign said.

In Charlottesville, the first lady will speak at the Main Street Arena, and in Fredericksburg at the University of Mary Washington. Both events are free and open to the public but tickets are required.