The decision by The Washington Post editorial board not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris has surprised many observers and even some of their own staff. Despite this, the paper has endorsed Democratic candidates in various congressional elections, including Senate and House races in Virginia and Maryland, as well as in some primary elections, such as the Washington D.C. city council Democratic primary. It is worth noting that the Post has only endorsed Democrats thus far.
In a recent announcement, the editorial board stated that they would not be endorsing any candidate in the future presidential elections, a departure from their tradition of endorsing Democratic presidential candidates, with the exception of 1988 when they did not endorse Democrat Michael Dukakis. The board endorsed Democratic candidate Eugene Vindman over Republican Derrick Anderson in Virginia’s seventh district congressional race, as well as Sen. Tim Kaine in Virginia’s Senate race, citing his opponent Hung Cao’s lack of temperament and pragmatism for the Senate.
The editorial board highlighted Cao’s connection to Trump, noting his identification as “MAGA” and part of the “Trump America First camp,” as well as his controversial statements comparing President Joe Biden to Communist leaders in Vietnam and expressing enthusiasm over the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. On the other hand, Kaine, running as Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential candidate in 2016, was praised for being a seasoned public servant.
In Maryland, the editorial board endorsed Democrat Angela D. Alsobrooks over former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan in the Senate race, despite endorsing Hogan, an anti-Trump Republican, in his gubernatorial re-election campaign in 2018. The board expressed doubts about Hogan’s effectiveness as a legislator due to his focus on tone and process rather than clear policy priorities, except for his promise to respect reproductive rights in response to Alsobrooks’s pro-choice stance.
While the editorial board has criticized Harris for her economic plans and policy shifts, they have also been vocal in their criticism of Trump, particularly regarding his rhetoric and stance on social security. In past elections, the board endorsed President Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Following the editorial board’s decision not to endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election, Washington Post editor at large Robert Kagan resigned. The paper’s motto, “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” underscores the importance of a free press in promoting transparency and accountability in government.
