Prominent Left-Wing Newspaper Breaks Tradition, REFUSES To Endorse Kamala Harris

The Los Angeles Times has endorsed every Democrat candidate since Obama in 2008.

Yet, this election cycle, they’re breaking tradition.

The leftist paper just announced that they will not be endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election.

See for yourself:

🚨 JUST IN: The left-wing newspaper "Los Angeles Times" has decided NOT TO ENDORSE Kamala Harris for president.

The Times has endorsed *every* Democratic presidential candidate since 2008. pic.twitter.com/loHOSqKbBp

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 22, 2024

So, why does this matter? Why should you care what the LA Times thinks?

Well, it boils down to this: The Los Angeles Times is an influential newspaper in leftist circles.

If even they’re refusing to endorse Kamala, then how many traditionally left voters are too?

Furthermore, it’s a newspaper based in California, Kamala’s own state.

The paper’s refusal to endorse a candidate that (seemingly) aligns with their political views and that is based in their own home state speaks volumes to Kamala’s reputation and how she’s really viewed, even in her own sphere.

George explained it well:

The super left-wing Los Angeles Times, which is the biggest newspaper in Kamala Harris's home state of California, has decided NOT to endorse her. They have previously endorsed Obama, Clinton, and even Biden

Something big is happening nationwide, and it's NOT good for Kamala. pic.twitter.com/VV1MO8oazy

— George (@BehizyTweets) October 22, 2024

The Los Angeles Times’ decision to not endorse a candidate this election cycle came straight from the top — on orders from the paper’s owner.

Semafor originally broke the news:

The owner of the Los Angeles Times has blocked the paper from endorsing a candidate for president this year.

Last week, the LA Times published its electoral endorsements for the 2024 election. And while the paper noted in its first line that it is “no exaggeration to say this may be the most consequential election in a generation,” that was the only mention of the presidential race in its endorsements.

The paper’s editorial board, which has endorsed Democratic candidates in every presidential race since it first endorsed then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2008, was preparing to do so once again this election.

But according to two people familiar with the situation, executive editor Terry Tang told editorial board staff earlier this month that the paper would not be endorsing a candidate in the presidential election this cycle, a decision that came from the paper’s owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a doctor who made his fortune in the healthcare industry.

ADVERTISEMENT

The paper did not explain its decision, though it noted at the bottom of its online endorsement page that “the editorial board endorses selectively, choosing the most consequential races in which to make recommendations.”

An LA Times spokesperson told Semafor, “We do not comment on internal discussions or decisions about editorials or endorsements.”

Fox News added:

The L.A. editorial board issued presidential endorsements from the 1880s through 1972, only returning to the practice to endorse Obama in 2008. Since then, they have exclusively endorsed Democratic presidential candidates.