In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Times has decided not to endorse Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, marking a significant departure from its history of backing Democratic candidates.

The paper, which is Harris’s hometown publication, has endorsed Democrats in past elections, including Joe Biden in 2020, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Barack Obama in 2012 and 2008. However, this year it will remain silent on the presidential race.

According to a report by Semafor’s Max Tani, the decision not to endorse Harris came directly from the paper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a healthcare billionaire who purchased the LA Times in 2018.

🚨 JUST IN: The left-wing newspaper “Los Angeles Times” has decided NOT TO ENDORSE Kamala Harris for president.

The Times has endorsed *every* Democratic presidential candidate since 2008. pic.twitter.com/loHOSqKbBp

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 22, 2024

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Executive editor Terry Tang reportedly informed the paper’s editorial board earlier this month that no endorsement would be made in the presidential race, a decision attributed to Soon-Shiong.

The newspaper did not provide a detailed explanation for this shift, only noting that the editorial board “endorses selectively, choosing the most consequential races in which to make recommendations.”

This is not the first time Soon-Shiong has exercised his influence over the LA Times editorial decisions.

In 2020, the editorial board was preparing to endorse Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primaries, but Soon-Shiong stepped in and overruled the decision at the last minute, leading the paper to refrain from endorsing any candidate in the primary.

The Times eventually endorsed Joe Biden in the general election that year.

The lack of an endorsement for Harris stands out, especially given the paper’s past support for prominent Democratic figures.

After The LA Times endorsed Richard Nixon throughout his political career, including his successful 1972 reelection bid, the paper stopped endorsing presidential candidates following his resignation in the wake of Watergate.

It resumed endorsing in 2008 with its support for Obama, a pattern that continued through the 2020 election.

This decision also reflects a growing concern within Democratic circles about Harris’s standing.

Harris launched her presidential campaign on July 21, following President Joe Biden’s decision to step aside and endorse her.

Although her approval rating has improved by more than 7% to 45.7%, according to FiveThirtyEight polling averages, her candidacy has faced skepticism even within traditionally supportive areas like California.

The LA Times’ refusal to endorse Harris has sparked speculation about her diminishing support in liberal strongholds.

The newspaper continues to endorse candidates for congressional and local races, but its absence of a recommendation for the presidency has drawn significant attention.

The editorial board labeled the upcoming election as “the most consequential in a generation” yet remained silent on Harris.

Sources suggest that Soon-Shiong’s decision may reflect broader concerns about Harris’s electability and credibility, which have been ongoing challenges for the vice president.

Some observers point to Harris’s struggles during the 2020 Democratic primaries, where she failed to gain significant voter support and dropped out before the first votes were cast.

In response to inquiries about the decision, the LA Times declined to comment. A spokesperson for the paper told Semafor, “We do not comment on internal discussions or decisions about editorials or endorsements.”

The paper’s lack of endorsement highlights the growing divide within Democratic ranks as Harris works to consolidate support ahead of the 2024 election.

With former President Donald Trump currently leading Harris in the top seven battleground states, according to RealClearPolling averages, the absence of a major endorsement from her hometown paper could be seen as a further blow to her campaign.