Earlier this month, we announced that the INDY is ending election endorsements. The news prompted a deluge of reactions from readers lamenting—and in some cases welcoming—the change. It also led some readers to write to us about the candidates they wished we had endorsed.
From reader Andrew Witkins by email:
Kudos for not doing endorsements this year. Hope this is a trend. I am sure you are going to get plenty of negative feedback from people who want their paper to take a more activist role, but on behalf of the rest of us, thank you. Our country’s media climate seems to be falling off a cliff right now—too many Americans have forsaken trustworthy sources for nefarious, misinformation-filled online hucksters masquerading as journalists. We have politicians (including our own president) who exploit that. In my opinion, the most important work you could possibly do is get all of Durham to read & trust you as we move forward together.
From reader Linda Kastleman by email:
I understand your decision, given limited resources and political chaos, to stop making endorsements for local candidates; I really do. But I want you to know how much I’ve appreciated, through many years, your insights and careful description of candidates’ positions. Almost never have I voted blindly for a candidate solely because you suggested it. Rather, your careful study allowed me to be confident about a candidate I already was leaning toward—or gave me information I didn’t have that led me to change my mind.
I appreciate all you’ve done to improve voter intelligence. I wish—and hope—that you could continue to do it. It’s an invaluable resource to the community.
An excerpt from reader Jeff M. by email:
For me, the guide was the only source that offered endorsements that thoughtfully considered a wide range of progressive issues. Even when I didn’t agree with every recommendation, I found it incredibly helpful as a starting point for further reading and reflection.
Regarding your explanation … I don’t believe endorsements undermine reader trust in fairness. Most readers already understand the Indy’s general editorial perspective, whether or not formal endorsements are issued. Transparency about values and reasoning can actually build trust.
As for the time commitment, it seems that once reporting and candidate interviews are completed, much of the substantive work has already been done. Crafting endorsements would appear to be a natural extension of that reporting.
For this upcoming election, I’ve found myself using AI tools to compare candidates instead of relying on the Indy. Interestingly, AI doesn’t “endorse” but instead presents distinctions in a structured way—for example, “If you value long-term experience, choose Candidate A,” or “If you prioritize diversity and newer leadership, consider Candidate B.” It also allows me to ask directly about potential drawbacks of each candidate. That kind of clear comparative framing is extremely useful.
If the Indy no longer feels endorsements are appropriate, perhaps there is still room for a simplified comparative guide that distills the reporting into accessible distinctions for voters.
From reader W.A. Bowling by email:
I love Indy. (Spectator was better, because it was more conservative). Indy does great investigative reporting. Thanks. In jest—I use the Indy endorsements at the Polls—to vote for the opposite candidates that you endorse. I will miss that this year. Keep up the good work.
From Bluesky user micah is lohrty:
Man do I hate to hear this. You guys were indispensable to making informed voting decisions for me and so many of my normie friends. Endorsements by “organizations” are simply not the same by any measure.
From Bluesky user Randall Gross:
“In a time when people are being murdered in the streets by masked secret police we are not willing to stand up for anyone or anything, but hey, hit that subscribe button.”
From Reddit user NoStage421:
Durham politics are chaotic, and the Indy endorsement was the key to victory. It seems they faced intense pressure from political interests in this last election.
If this policy continues through 2026 (and I hope it does), the strategy for winning Durham races will shift.
Except for the [People’s Alliance], all the other endorsing organizations are in decline or are newcomers.
An excerpt from reader Kristina Baldridge by email:
This morning I read your announcement that The Indy will no longer participate in political endorsements. Your rationale was clear and thoughtful, and I respect the decision to step back in the name of neutrality and journalistic integrity.
In your letter, you noted that many organizations already vet and endorse candidates. That’s true. But when we look at endorsements from PACs, unions, and advocacy groups, we should remember that each of these organizations represents one part of the school system—not the whole. The board leadership Durham needs must be able to take a holistic view of our district, not cater to the loudest voices or narrowest interests.
So I would like to offer another way voters can determine who is right for the Durham school board: watch the board meetings. Read the materials DPS administration presents. Pay attention to the questions board members ask—and the ones they avoid. It takes time, but anyone who does it will see a board and district in urgent need of steady, independent leadership that understands just how difficult the next few years will be.
In District 3, that leader is Lauren Sartain.
Lauren is a K–12 public education and policy expert who works every day with districts and school leaders navigating the same challenges Durham Public Schools faces. She is also a parent of two DPS students who stepped up to run her school’s PTA when no one else would.
But perhaps most importantly, she is already doing the work. Lauren has attended or watched every board meeting since the redistricting process began and the pay crisis erupted. She engages board members with thoughtful, informed ideas grounded in what is actually happening in DPS—not campaign-season talking points. She has also taken the time to listen and connect with parents, teachers, central office staff, and DPS administration about specific ways she can help strengthen support for students.
Also in our last print edition, Justin Laidlaw wrote about the race between incumbent Durham District Attorney Satana Deberry and challenger Jonathan Wilson. Readers shared their thoughts on the story and the primary election.
From readers Gita and Edd Gulati-Partee by email:
Though The Indy made the decision to cease making endorsements, your reporting about the candidates for Durham DA leaves no doubt in our minds who will get our vote—DA Satana Deberry.
Readers newer to Durham might not recall the challenges DA Deberry inherited in January 2019, nor appreciate the turnaround she’s led over the last seven years, ensuring that our justice system works justly for everyone.
We are proud that violent crime is down in Durham and that Durham no longer prosecutes people for being poor, having unmet mental health needs, or being afflicted by substance abuse and addiction. Durham has opened the door to meaningful accountability for victims and survivors in cold-case sexual assault cases by clearing the largest backlog of kits in the state. There will always be more to be done, and we are confident that similar success lies ahead as DA Deberry and other community leaders address juvenile crime, particularly gun violence, as well as the safety of downtown residents, visitors, and businesses.
Justice is not a desk job; DA Deberry has forged key community partnerships that have diverted people into treatment programs and social services, saving myriad resources. We especially appreciate DA Deberry’s proactive and authentic engagement with immigrant communities who know she will have all our backs if (when) ICE surges in Durham again.
We applaud anyone who is willing to run for office and have no reason to doubt her challenger’s abilities. But now is not the time to learn on the job or start from scratch. Instead of surveilling the timesheet of a tireless and highly effective public servant, WRAL should shine a light on the moneyed interests that profit from Durham’s growing unaffordability while depleting the tax base that would fund needed social safety net programs, victim services, and the DA’s office. They have tried relentlessly to discredit and deter this DA. But Durham knows better – and we are better with DA Deberry.
From reader Allison Simpson by email:
In the article “Primary Redux”, Deberry is quoted as saying “My job is prosection…. All I have is a Hammer. To a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and some of those people don’t need to be nailed.” I agree in principle, but the DA’s Office under Deberry has mishandled cases that need attention and should be taken far more seriously. In 2022 my husband was violently killed 15 feet in front of me and our two young children while riding his bike. A speeding driver ran the red light at the trail crossing intersection, plowed into my husband (even though nothing obstructed his view) and never stopped. The driver then hid from authorities until found 2 weeks later in Ashboro, NC. This man was a repeat offender with 79 prior charges. He never once expressed remorse or regret, yet he received a plea deal and a minimal sentence of 1 year for a low level felony hit and run and a misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Since his release, he has committed more crimes. This does not keep the public safe. I have met with Deberry twice about the poor management of this case, and have only received broken promises.
Finally, Chase Pellegrini de Paur spoke to all 12 school board candidates for a story in our last edition. One reader wrote that the story fell short of capturing a candidate’s résumé.
From reader Liz Buno by email:
I’m writing in response to your recent District 3 school board candidate profile. While the article offered detailed descriptions of the professional and governance experience of some candidates, it gave comparatively little attention to the depth and relevance of Gabby Rivero’s experience.
Gabby is deeply rooted in our schools. She is a parent and foster parent. I’ve personally served with her on the PTA at Southwest Elementary, a dual-language Title I school, where she is Vice President. She has also served as one of the PTA’s Title I representatives, working intentionally to ensure that all families are engaged in Title I–funded activities. She has focused not just on participation, but on listening—seeking feedback about which programs truly work for families across languages, cultures, and schedules, rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach. Last fall, when increased immigration enforcement created fear and instability for families, I watched her help organize concrete supports—transportation, school watches, and grocery delivery—that improved attendance and helped more than 30 families within a couple of weeks.
As a business owner, she understands budgets, staffing, and long-term planning—skills essential for responsible school board governance that were emphasized in the profiles of other candidates. She serves on the City of Durham’s Recreation Advisory Commission, she has worked across differences, examined budgets, questioned programs, and pushed back when decisions failed to serve the broader community. She serves on the board of the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce, where she chairs the Membership Committee. In that role, she is an accountable leader— asking hard questions, holding decision-makers responsible, and building collective power to strengthen an entire ecosystem. Hands on governance, the kind that affects change.
Gabby Rivero does not simply speak about community; she consistently shows up for it. Political candidates are often described as having one primary strength—policy expertise, professional leadership, or community engagement. Gabby Rivero is a candidate who brings all three.