A couple years ago this newspaper’s editorial board took a position opposing the practice of political parties endorsing particular party candidates prior to the primary election.

Since I am part of the editorial board, I was involved in that decision, and I supported the position.

My feelings haven’t changed.

In that editorial, we pointed out that only after the primary election is over and voters have made their decision on party nominees does the local Republican party typically get involved in promoting those nominated GOP candidates.

We argued all local parties should take that same approach.

I recall after that editorial ran, I received some pushback from some readers, including some from the Trumbull County Democratic Party — one of the local parties that pretty consistently chooses a Democratic candidate in contested countywide races to endorse.

Some responses to that editorial implied this newspaper was hypocritical because we often use our Opinion pages to take positions on issues — yes, including candidate endorsements. Why, then, some asked, do we somehow feel more qualified or entitled to endorse candidates in the primary than the political parties to which candidates belong?

Therein lies the answer. All Democrats — at least those in good standing — do belong to the party. They are Democrats because they share the party’s beliefs.

Still, it seems as though the party’s endorsement somehow plays favorites by picking winners and losers, well in advance of the primary election.

A party official once suggested to me that political parties should be able to weigh in about which candidate might most closely match the party’s platform and have the best chance of being elected.

Then, after the endorsement is made, the endorsed candidates get to be included in party promotional materials. Those who aren’t among the chosen ones don’t get to be included.

How is that fair?

In contrast, yes, the newspaper endorses in some political races as a service to our readers who don’t always have the opportunity to individually ask questions of candidates and personally hear what they have to offer about their candidacy. We interview the candidates and ask hard questions and then offer our opinion on a page clearly labeled “Opinion.”

But on the news pages, we also offer unbiased, balanced news coverage about the races and the candidates — all of them. We don’t limit our coverage to just the endorsed candidates.

Further, we encourage and welcome varied opinions from readers who want to discuss upcoming races and candidates in the form of letters to the editor. We are happy to publish them on our Sunday letters page and/or online, and we do not limit or censor them based on their position.

I write about this topic today because last week the Trumbull County Democratic Party gathered again to endorse in large primary races.

They endorsed in the upcoming Trumbull County commissioners race in which four candidates will face off for the seat currently held by Republican Commissioner Niki Frenchko. They also endorsed in two judicial races, one for domestic relations / juvenile court judicial seat and one for Trumbull County Common Pleas Court judge.

It is well before the March 19 primary election, and the endorsements will help pave the way for the party to offer financial and other campaign support to the endorsed candidates.

But, just as we said a couple years ago, isn’t that what the primary election is intended to do?

Let’s not forget that voter choice is a big part of what America was founded on.

And regarding the upcoming election, just in case you haven’t yet taken note, mark your calendars now.

The spring primary election is March 19 this year, rather than the usual first Tuesday after the first Monday in May. In a presidential election year (like this year), Ohio — long regarded as a bellwether state — generally holds its primary earlier than usual in order to keep us very relevant in the process to select major party nominees for the presidential race.

Feb. 20 is the deadline to register to vote in the March 19 election, and early, in-person absentee voting begins one day later, on Feb. 21.

Linert is editor of the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator.

blinert@tribtoday.com