Tampa Bay Times Declines to Endorse Kamala Harris for 2024
- The Tampa Bay Times, along with several other major publications, announced they will not endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election.
- The editorial board had previously endorsed candidates in various elections but opted not to recommend anyone for president this time.
- This decision reflects a broader trend among publications, which has led to some readers canceling their subscriptions.
On October 29, 2024, the Tampa Bay Times declared its decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in the upcoming election. This choice marks a significant shift as the publication had previously endorsed candidates, including President Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. The Times Editorial Board stressed that there was no intended recommendation for the presidential race, indicating that their focus would lie elsewhere in upcoming political contests. The publication explained that decisions regarding endorsements are made after careful consideration of reader engagement and the effective use of resources. The editorial board acknowledged having received no requests from readers over the past election cycle seeking assistance in making a presidential voting decision. This decision aligns with a broader trend among major news organizations like the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post, both of which have also opted against making endorsements for the November election. The Times' editorial board articulated their reasoning and stated that this approach allows them to concentrate on local and partisan races instead. Consequently, this change in stance has resulted in a notable subscriber response, with some readers canceling their subscriptions to these publications following the announcement of their non-endorsing policy. This trend reflects growing sentiments among readers regarding the role of media endorsements in political elections.