Vice President Kamala Harris has missed out on the endorsement from the largest paper in her home state after the executive editor of the Los Angeles Times told the editorial board they would not be endorsing a presidential candidate this year.
Two people familiar with the decision told Semafor that head editor Terry Tang told the editorial board earlier this month that they would be making no presidential endorsement — a decision made by owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong.
“It’s no exaggeration to say this may be the most consequential election in a generation. And we’re not just talking about the presidential race,” the online endorsement page stated. “From the top of the ticket to local ballot measures, California voters this year are grappling with major decisions that will shape their lives and communities for years to come.”
The statement never mentions the presidential race again. On the bottom of the page, however, it says “the editorial board endorses selectively, choosing the most consequential races in which to make recommendations.”
The paper’s first endorsement was former President Barack Obama in 2008, and since then it has only endorsed Democrats. Ms. Harris represented California in the Senate, and also served as state attorney general.
Mr. Soon-Shiong has previously stopped the paper from endorsing. He stopped the board from supporting Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, but the paper then went on to endorse President Biden in the general election.
SEE ALSO: Los Angeles Times editor resigns over owner’s refusal to endorse Harris
This isn’t the only high-profile endorsement that Ms. Harris has lost out on this year. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to endorse a candidate last month, and earlier this month, the International Association of Fire Fighters also decided not to endorse a candidate. Both organizations endorsed Mr. Biden in 2020.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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