The New York Times editorial board announced this week it would stop its long-running practice of endorsing candidates in state elections.

The paper confirmed the change in a statement Monday.

“While elections everywhere remain critical to the lives and experiences of our audience, the editorial board is ceasing the endorsement process for New York elections,” head of the Times Opinion section Kathleen Kingsbury wrote.

The NYT’s editorial board acts as an independent body outside of the paper’s newsroom. The paper has endorsed candidates for political office since the 1850s.

The board didn’t give a reason for the change, but confirmed the paper would continue to endorse candidates in races outside New York, meaning the paper will offer endorsements in the presidential race and senate and congressional elections beyond the state.

The change won’t affect the NYT’s coverage of New York races. Additionally, the NYT’s columnists will continue to offer opinions on local races.

The NYT’s decision puts the paper at odds with The Washington Post, whose editorial board offers support in local elections. However, other papers have stopped the practice. In 2022, the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune and Boston Herald announced they were ending all national and state political endorsements. 

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.