Official statements or credible reports from The Washington Post regarding their endorsement decision

LA Times and Washington Post Owners Block Kamala Harris Endorsements Amid Internal Conflicts

Oct 25, 2024, 05:14 PM

The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post have decided not to endorse Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, marking a departure from their tradition of endorsing Democratic candidates. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who purchased the Los Angeles Times for $500 million in 2018, reportedly informed the paper's editorial board of the decision. The Times had previously not endorsed Harris for California attorney general in 2010, choosing Republican Steve Cooley instead. At The Washington Post, an endorsement draft for Harris had been prepared, but publisher Will Lewis, allegedly following owner Jeff Bezos's directive, killed it amid concerns over antagonizing Donald Trump and risking Amazon's federal contracts. The Washington Post has not declined to endorse a Democrat since 1988 and has never endorsed a Republican presidential candidate. Reports indicate internal conflicts and staff resignations at the Post over the decision, with some employees expressing that democracy is being compromised by the paper's stance.