The proprietor of the Los Angeles Times has directed the publication not to issue a presidential endorsement for the first time in twenty years, just weeks before the 2024 election, as reported by Semafor on Tuesday.
On October 14, the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times released a list of their electoral endorsements, characterizing the 2024 election as “the most consequential election in a generation.” However, there was no reference to an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris. Initially, the board intended to adhere to tradition by endorsing the Democratic presidential nominee, but Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the paper, informed them earlier this month to refrain from making a presidential endorsement, according to two sources familiar with the situation, as reported by Semafor.
The editorial board has supported Democratic candidates in each presidential election since it initially expressed its backing for former President Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign, as reported by Semafor. A representative from the Los Angeles Times refrained from commenting on “internal discussions or decisions about editorials or endorsements,” according to Semafor.
@latimes won’t endorse anyone for president,1st time in 20 years. LA Times is in Harris’s home state. Voters we talked to say how can you believe a candidate who has done nothing to fix America’s problems for 4 years is suddenly capable of fixing everything. #latimes pic.twitter.com/isbewPNHE9
— Elizabeth MacDonald (@LizMacDonaldFOX) October 22, 2024