The New York Times says it will stop supporting candidates in New York elections

NEW YORK — The New York Times editorial board will stop endorsing candidates in New York elections, the paper’s opinion editor said Monday.

The editorial board, which operates independently of the newspaper’s editorial staff, will continue to provide support in the presidential elections.

In a statement, Kathleen Kingsbury, chief opinion officer at The New York Times, did not explain the reason for the decision on New York’s endorsements, but said that “opinion will continue to offer perspective on the races, candidates and issues at stake.” . The newspaper reported that the change would take effect immediately, with the editorial board not endorsing candidates in this fall’s New York Congressional or Senate elections, or next year’s mayoral race.

Many newspapers have stopped supporting political candidates in recent years for a variety of reasons, including concerns about alienating readers as well as diminished staff and resources, among other things.

The Times’ endorsement has been coveted by generations of politicians, especially in New York City. The endorsement process also often resulted in information interviews between the editorial board and political candidates in hopes of securing the position.

The Times has supported every New York mayoral race since 1897, the paper said.