Are newspaper endorsements a blessing or curse?

Congressman Joe Wilson has never been popular with The State newspaper.

Wilson is a Springdale conservative Republican.

The State is an out-of-state owned, generally progressive newspaper.

It was a surprise this week when The State’s editorial board endorsed Wilson for re-election.

Wilson’s Democratic Party challenger Adair Ford Boroughs probably is disappointed.

The Columbia newspaper usually endorses Democrats.

The paper did point out its reservations about Wilson.

It called him “an unabashedly fierce supporter of Republican President Donald Trump.”

It said Wilson “will always be known as the lawmaker who yelled, ‘You lie!’ at President Barack Obama.”

It did not mention that Wilson was right when President Obama said “You can keep your doctor” under Obamacare.

The State said “Wilson admirably and tirelessly worked to champion the successful 2019 repeal of a widow’s tax that financially penalized the spouses of deceased veterans.

“And Wilson proudly touts his bipartisan work with another South Carolina lawmaker, Rep. Jim Clyburn, on expanding broadband access to poor, rural areas and advocating for the Savannah River Site, which employs thousands of people.”

The endorsement may concern Wilson’s campaign staff.

Former Lexington Count Sen. Jake Knotts knew many voters are suspicious of The State’s endorsements.

Knotts once asked the newspaper NOT to endorse him.

The Chronicle does not endorse candidates.

We consider that who yo vote for is your business. It’s not our business to tell you how to vote.