The New York Times Discontinues Local Election Endorsements

The New York Times Ends Local Election Endorsements

The New York Times editorial board has made the significant decision to discontinue its practice of endorsing candidates in local New York elections. This includes high-profile races such as those for governor and the mayor of New York City. Kathleen Kingsbury, the Opinion editor of The Times, announced this shift, emphasizing that the publication will still provide insights and analysis regarding the candidates and issues at stake, even without formal endorsements.

This change will take effect immediately, meaning The Times will not endorse any candidates in the upcoming Senate, congressional, or state legislative races this fall. Additionally, they will abstain from endorsing in the 2024 New York City elections, where current Mayor Eric Adams is vying for a second term amidst a growing list of challengers.

In her statement, Kingsbury reaffirmed The Times’s commitment to being a journalistic institution deeply rooted in New York City. However, she did not specify the reasons behind the decision to halt local endorsements. Notably, the editorial board, which is responsible for these endorsements, operates independently of the newsroom and will continue its long-standing tradition of endorsing candidates in presidential elections, a practice that dates back to 1860.

This decision aligns with a broader trend observed among various news organizations, many of which are moving away from political endorsements. In 2022, Alden Global Capital, the owner of the second-largest newspaper chain in the U.S., declared that its 200 newspapers would cease endorsing candidates in presidential, Senate, and gubernatorial races, citing reader confusion regarding the distinction between news reporting and opinion pieces. Similarly, the new management of The Baltimore Sun announced in January that they would also stop making endorsements.

Over recent years, The Times has reduced the frequency of its editorial publications. For instance, in a note to readers in February 2020, the Opinion editor stated that the editorial board would limit its commentary to issues of significant importance rather than publishing multiple editorials daily.

The decision to end local endorsements is expected to resonate within the competitive landscape of New York politics, where the editorial board’s opinions have historically influenced candidates and voters alike. Since 1897, The Times has consistently made editorial endorsements in every New York City mayoral election, supporting both Democratic and Republican candidates. Campaigns for local offices often devise intricate strategies to win the board’s favor, as these endorsements can considerably impact electoral dynamics.

For example, during the 2021 Democratic primary for mayor, Kathryn Garcia, previously a relatively unknown sanitation commissioner, experienced a notable surge in fundraising and media coverage after receiving The Times’s endorsement. This support propelled her to a close second-place finish in the primary.

As political strategist Stu Loeser, who has advised numerous Democratic candidates for mayor, governor, and U.S. Senate, remarked, the significance of The Times’s endorsements extends beyond merely identifying a frontrunner. He noted, “It mattered because it helped keep candidates honest, preventing them from resorting to cheap shots and encouraging them to address tough issues rather than simply catering to popular opinion.”