The Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial board said Gary Johnson is "a legitimate and reasonable contender for the presidency." | AP Photo Richmond newspaper endorses Gary Johnson

A major Virginia newspaper has endorsed Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson for president.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch, which teased to the endorsement on the front page of Sunday's print edition, wrote in an editorial: "Neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton meets the fundamental moral and professional standards we have every right to expect of an American president."


Johnson is, "in every respect, a legitimate and reasonable contender for the presidency — but only if the voters give him a fair hearing," the editorial said.

The paper has traditionally endorsed Republican presidential candidates, including Mitt Romney in 2012 and John McCain in 2008.

The endorsement was made final after Johnson of Johnson, a former Republican governor of New Mexico, sat down with the editorial board last week. The board "found him to be knowledgeable but unscripted, reasonable and good-humored, self-assured but free from arrogance, willing and able to address every question, consistent in his beliefs without being dogmatic, even-tempered, curious — and, in all respects, optimistically, realistically presidential."

"We are confident that, if given the opportunity to make his case, Gary Johnson will persuade millions of Americans that he is the most capable and ethical candidate running this year," the editorial concluded. "We endorse him and look forward to a rejuvenating surprise in November — a new birth of freedom."