Herald Endorses In Mayor’s Race Without Meeting Candidates

Wednesday’s Boston Herald mayoral endorsements surprised a lot of campaign people, and not just because of the, um, unusual anti-endorsement of Marty Walsh.

No, they were surprised because the Herald hadn’t asked them in for an editorial board meeting, as most newspapers do, before making an endorsement.

I’ve checked around with most of the campaigns, and the only one I’ve found who met with any Herald editors is Dan Conley—recipient of one of the paper’s two endorsements—who met with people at the paper back in June, according to his campaign spokesperson.

John Connolly, who received the other endorsement, was not invited and has not met with Herald editors, according to his campaign. Neither was Walsh. Nor was Felix Arroyo or Rob Consalvo or Mike Ross or Bill Walczak.

“We’re disappointed that the Herald would choose to endorse without inviting Marty for a conversation. Marty welcomes any opportunity to talk about his vision,” said Walsh spokesperson Joyce Linehan.

Perhaps publisher Patrick Purcell and editorial page editor Rachelle Cohen decided to rely solely on the scintillating Herald debate held the other night.

The Herald has endorsed without editorial boards in other races, I am told by some campaign veterans. Nevertheless, I would think that the effort could be made in the city’s most important election in years. And it certainly doesn’t seem very fair to Walsh.

I left a message with Herald editorial page editor Rachelle Cohen to ask about this, but have not heard back from her. I will update if and when I speak with her.