Why I published endorsements in 2026 primaries

This year was a start. In 2028, I’m building a real process.

The safe thing for a political commentator is to avoid making direct endorsements in campaigns. That’s especially true in primaries, where emotions run extremely high and people don’t forget a slight.

The next safest thing is to endorse people who are already going to win — or who can help you, or hurt you, depending on how you vote.

But primaries are also where real, honest endorsements are the most valuable.

In a lot of these races, there isn’t much daylight between the candidates on the big issues. Turnout is low, and name ID is low, so voters are often left making a decision based on a mailer, a couple Facebook posts, and whatever rumor is floating around the district that week. The more information out there, the better.

I’d kicked around the idea of doing endorsements in 2026, but wasn’t planning to actually weigh in “officially” on N.C. Republican primaries this year until my editors at the newspaper asked if I’d do it. So I did.

You may have read the piece already. If you haven’t,…