The New York Times is facing backlash from progressives and journalists in New York City over its decision to stop making endorsements in state and local elections.
The Times itself first Reported The paper said the move was “immediate” and that it “does not plan to take a position in this fall’s Senate, House or State Assembly elections in New York, or next year’s New York City elections,” which also include the re-election of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
“As the organizational voice of The Times, the Editorial Board fulfills our mission of helping our global readers understand the world by providing a consistent, independent view of the world grounded in our long-standing, institutional values,” Times op-ed editor Kathleen Kingsbury said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“While elections everywhere remain important to the lives and experiences of our readers, our editorial board will be suspending the endorsement process for the New York election. We remain a news organization rooted in New York City historically, presently and in the future. Our newsroom will continue to actively cover New York races and Opinion will continue to provide perspective on races, candidates and issues at stake.”
The Times will continue to make its endorsements in the presidential election.
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The New York Times’ decision to halt its New York-based advocacy efforts sparked an outcry among local liberal readers. (Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images)
Critics, including New York-based journalists, progressive politicians and even former Times staffers, slammed the Times’ decision on social media.
“What a terrible decision,” Semaphore editor-in-chief and former Times columnist Ben Smith responded at X. “The Times editorial board has abandoned the only thing that actually really listens to, and left New York City politics to continue to drift, more or less controlled by small interest groups.”
“This is a disappointing decision: The New York Times has abandoned both accountability and the ability to influence debate and outcomes in its own backyard,” wrote Carol Giacomo, a former Times editorial board member.
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“The civic life of our city is stronger when the New York Times editorial board supports progressivism and good government. This is a mistake,” said Pablo Zeballos, a lawyer and prominent local Democratic Party member.
“This is exactly the wrong move,” wrote Ryder Kessler, a progressive activist and former New York state legislative candidate, adding: “[Times editorial board member] @MaraGay and the board have been outspoken about the most important issues facing NYC (housing shortage, congestion pricing, etc.) If they think these issues are important, they should nominate candidates in more races and at lower levels.”
The Times’ change in endorsement policy means that the paper will not endorse New York City Mayor Eric Adams for re-election, who is facing several challenges next year. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriye, File)
Others criticized the Gray Lady for dropping her influential support in New York state elections but maintaining her support at the presidential level, where she has supported Democrats ever since 1960.
“This is insanity. Local endorsements have an impact (and usually for the better). Who cares who the New York Times endorses for president?” said Josh Barro, a writer at Very Serious Substack.
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“It’s one thing to agree that newspapers shouldn’t endorse candidates at all, but it’s another thing to keep their national endorsements (which are largely meaningless) while dropping their New York endorsements (which are quite influential),” New Yorker reporter Erin Durkin wrote similarly.
“I like The New York Times, but this is a terrible decision and an abdication of civic responsibility. The irony is that The New York Times’ support doesn’t particularly matter outside of New York City and New Jersey,” said The Atlantic reporter Michael Powell.
Former New York Times columnist Ben Smith denounced his former employer’s “terrible decision” to end its endorsement in state and local elections. (Photo by Drew Ungerer/Getty Images)
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The Times did not respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital beyond Kingsbury’s statement, and it is unclear why the decision was made or whether it was a unanimous one among all editorial board members.
