The Los Angeles Times' Editorial editor Mariel Garza has resigned after the newspaper decided not to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

The move came after the paper's owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, blocked the editorial board's plan to publicly endorse Harris, citing instead the need for impartial analysis.

Garza's departure has sparked discussions about journalistic integrity and the media's role in political discourse.

In an interview with the Columbia Journalism ReviewGarza said: “I am resigning because I want to make it clear that I do not agree with us remaining silent. In dangerous times, honest people must stand up. So I get up.”

Garza expressed his frustration about this Just' Silence on the presidential campaign, particularly in such an important election, and felt the newspaper's decision not to endorse a candidate was a failure to address important issues.

Garza had reportedly drafted an editorial in support of Harris before the decision to remain neutral was made.

The Just She had previously supported Harris in her races for U.S. Senate and attorney general, making the decision not to support her for president particularly notable.

Owner defends impartial approach

Soon-Shiong, a transplant surgeon turned businessman, bought this L.A. Times In 2018, he defended his decision, saying the editorial board had been asked to present a balanced, factual comparison of the policies and actions of Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump.

In a post on the social media platform “The board has chosen to remain silent and I have accepted their decision,” he wrote.

Soon-Shiong said the intention was not to suppress endorsement but to encourage objective analysis.

However, his comments have raised concerns about the direction of the newspaper and the level of editorial independence under his leadership.

Newsweek has turned to them L.A. Times For a comment via email.

Guild expresses concerns

The L.A. Times Council and the Guild Unit Bargaining Committee expressed deep concern about the owner's decision, stating: “We are even more concerned that he is now unfairly blaming the members of the Editorial Board for his decision not to support them.”

The guild is pushing for answers from editorial management and advocating on behalf of employees who feel excluded by the advertising block.

Trump campaign responds

The Trump campaign quickly responded to Garza's resignation, pointing out that California's largest newspaper had refused to support the Democratic candidacy.

This came after the newspaper had previously supported Harris in her political career. Garza's resignation also follows the departure of former editor-in-chief Kevin Merida, who left the paper about 10 months ago because he was struggling to meet his digital subscription goals and because he was under financial strain.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.