Scientific American makes presidential endorsement for only the second time in its 179-year history

A top science magazine has waded into the political sphere after making a presidential endorsement, only the second in its 179-year history.

“Vote for Kamala Harris to Support Science, Health and the Environment,” read the headline in Scientific American on Monday, announcing the publication’s official support for the Democratic presidential candidate.

Harris is Scientific American’s second presidential endorsement in its history, after the magazine backed President Joe Biden during the 2020 election.

“The US faces two futures,” the editors wrote, pushing one candidate who “offers the country better prospects, relying on science, solid evidence and the willingness to learn from experience.”

They continued: “In the other future, the new president endangers public health and safety and rejects evidence, preferring instead nonsensical conspiracy fantasies.”

Scientific American, which has a global readership of six million, cited Harris’s record as vice president, senator and presidential candidate as reasons for endorsing her.

They acknowledged that Trump, “also has a record — a disastrous one,” during his time in the White House.

The magazine firstly focused on the candidates’ healthcare policies and proposals, in particular, health insurance in its comparison.

Praising the Biden-Harris administration forbolstering the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — which expanded the number of adults eligible for health insurance — the editors noted that while Harris has said she would expand the program, Trump has pledged to repeal it but failed to clarify what he would replace it with.

“I have concepts of a plan,” he said while facing off against Harris during the September 10 presidential debate.

The article refers to the debate