Another Major News Outlet Breaks Tradition, Declines Endorsement of Kamala Harris

The Washington Post has joined another prominent American newspaper in breaking from its typical pattern of endorsing Democrats and liberal candidates by choosing not to back Vice President Kamala Harris.

A column from Post publisher William Lewis explains that the decision aims to demonstrate the newspaper’s commitment to editorial independence.

“We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including as a tacit endorsement of one candidate, or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility. That is inevitable. We don’t see it that way,” Lewis expressed, highlighting that the Post largely avoided presidential endorsements before 1976.

“We also see it as a statement in support of our readers’ ability to make up their own minds on this, the most consequential of American decisions — whom to vote for as the next president,” he wrote.

Lewis further clarified that the Post intends to step away from endorsing presidential candidates altogether, returning to its former stance.

“The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election. Nor in any future presidential election. We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates,” Lewis noted.

The newspaper reported that an editorial supporting Harris had been drafted by the editorial board but was ultimately dismissed by owner Jeff Bezos. Since 1976, the Post has exclusively endorsed Democratic candidates for president.

The Post’s choice to withhold support for Harris follows a similar move by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, who also halted his editorial board’s plan to endorse Harris.

The last time the Post opted out of a presidential endorsement was in 1988, during the race between Republican President George H.W. Bush and Democratic Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts.

More recently, the Post endorsed former President Barack Obama in 2008, while also criticizing Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. In 2012, the Post reaffirmed its support for Obama, despite what it called “the disappointments of Mr. Obama’s time in office.”

In 2016, the Post endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton, referring to former President Donald Trump as “dreadful” and “uniquely unqualified as a presidential candidate.” By 2020, the Post backed President Joe Biden, describing his selection of Harris as an accomplishment reflecting her qualifications.