The Washington Post on Friday announced that it will not endorse a candidate in this year’s presidential election, the first time since 1988.

The decision is a blow to Vice President Kamala Harris, as the paper consistently backed Democratic candidates. It also comes on the heels of a similar decision by the Los Angeles Times, the largest newspaper in Ms. Harris’ home state.

In a statement, the Post’s publisher, Will Lewis, said, “The Washington Post will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election. Nor in any future election. We are returning to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates.” 

Mr. Lewis said the move is “consistent with” the paper’s values.

“We recognize that this will be read in a range of ways, including a tacit endorsement of one candidate or as a condemnation of another, or as an abdication of responsibility. That is inevitable,” he said. “We don’t see it that way. We see it as consistent with the values The Post has always stood for and what we hope for in a leader: character and courage in service to the American ethic, veneration for the rule of law and respect for human freedom in all its aspects.”

Ahead of the announcement, The Post’s editorial page editor, David Shipley, told staffers that Mr. Lewis would soon publish his note.

The Post has endorsed other candidates in this year’s election, including Angela Alsobrooks, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate running against former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican. In 2020, it endorsed President Biden over former President Donald Trump and in 2016 it endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. 

The Post is owned by Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder and one of the world’s richest people, who tapped Mr. Lewis as the paper’s publisher and CEO in January.

Marty Baron, a former executive editor at The Post, blasted the nonendorsement decision in a social media post.

“This is cowardice, with democracy as its casualty,” he wrote. Donald Trump “will see this as an invitation to further intimidate owner Bezos (and others). Disturbing spinelessness at an institution famed for courage.”

Earlier this week, a decision by Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong not to endorse either Ms. Harris or Mr. Trump led to the resignations of the paper’s editorial editor and two editorial board members.