In an unprecedented move, Gannett, the parent company of America’s largest newspaper network, announced it will refrain from endorsing any presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 election. Gannett, which owns over 200 publications, including the highly circulated USA Today, stated that its editorial strategy for this election season will focus exclusively on local and state-level endorsements, leaving the presidential race notably free of its influence.
Why Gannett Is Withholding Presidential Endorsements
According to Lark-Marie Antón, Gannett’s chief communications officer, the company believes that “America’s future is decided locally—one race at a time.” This reflects a shift in the editorial policy by Kristin Roberts, Gannett Media’s chief content officer, who decided last year that the company’s outlets would not pursue presidential endorsements. Gannett’s local-focused approach, she says, will better serve readers by empowering them with information to make informed choices based on regional issues.
Antón clarified the move, dispelling any rumors of corporate influence over editorial decisions: “This was an editorial decision, it had nothing to do with Gannett corporate,” Antón told CNN. “The perception that our corporate team influenced editorial is not accurate.”
An Editorial First—Breaking a Long-Standing Tradition
Historically, USA Today and its affiliates have approached presidential endorsements cautiously. In 2016, USA Today published its first-ever anti-endorsement, deeming Donald Trump “unfit for office” but abstaining from a direct endorsement of Hillary Clinton. In 2020, however, the editorial board made a historic break from its tradition of neutrality, issuing a full endorsement for Joe Biden, citing the need for a return to “competent and steady” leadership.
Despite this bold stance, Gannett is now opting out of national endorsements, instead providing space for readers to reach their conclusions through coverage of each candidate’s policy positions. This decision comes as other prominent newspapers, such as the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post, have similarly stepped back from making endorsements, sparking both resignations and public cancellations in protest.
Public Response and Editorial Pushback
The decision has generated mixed reactions among both media professionals and the public. David Mastio, a former USA Today opinion editor involved in the 2020 Biden endorsement, voiced disappointment over Gannett’s current policy, emphasizing the stakes of the 2024 election. “This is not a normal election, and these are not normal times,” Mastio said in a post on X. He criticized the decision, arguing that this is a critical moment for the nation’s democracy, particularly with candidates like Donald Trump, who have raised concerns over a peaceful transfer of power.
A New Chapter for Local Reporting and Civic Influence
As the November 5 election approaches, Gannett’s publications, including major outlets like The Arizona Republic, The Tennessean, and the Detroit Free Press, will continue to serve millions of readers across the nation with their expansive local reporting. Gannett’s network has grown significantly in its digital footprint, boasting over two million digital-only subscribers and a robust daily print readership.
