The Boston Globe Editorial Board on Wednesday endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld William (Bill) WeldRalph Gants, chief justice of Massachusetts supreme court, dies at 65 The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden visits Kenosha | Trump's double-voting suggestion draws fire | Facebook clamps down on election ads Biden picks up endorsements from nearly 100 Republicans MORE’s long-shot primary challenge to President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE.

“Although sometimes dismissed as a gadfly because of his Libertarian Party vice presidential bid in 2016, Weld is a solid, substantive, hyper-smart figure. As governor of Massachusetts from 1991 to 1997, he demonstrated an ability to work with an overwhelmingly Democratic legislature to produce impressive results,” the Globe said.

“Nominating Weld would also help restore dignity and decency to the national conversation. A personable practitioner of collegial politics, he is able to disagree without being disagreeable. His dry, sly wit would be a welcome tonic to Trump’s tawdry discourse,” the Globe added. “A ballot for Weld, then, is a vote both to salvage time-honored conservative principles and to change the shabby tone of the Trump era.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The newspaper also cited Weld’s experience as a prosecutor, his handling of budgetary issues as governor and his status as “neither a neoconservative nor a neo-isolationist on foreign policy.”

The Globe acknowledged the minimal likelihood of Weld’s challenge proving successful, noting his pulling only 9 percent of the vote in the New Hampshire primary and Trump’s overwhelming popularity within the party.

“But even by giving Bill Weld a strong result, Republicans dismayed with Donald Trump’s course could trigger an important intra-party debate about ideas and integrity,” the endorsement stated. “We urge Republicans to embrace his candidacy in the March 3 primary.”

Two former congressmen who sought to primary Trump, former Reps. Mark Sanford Mark SanfordOn The Money: Business world braces for blue sweep | Federal Reserve chief to outline plans for inflation, economy | Meadows 'not optimistic' about stalemate on coronavirus deal Trump critic Sanford forms anti-debt advocacy group Republicans officially renominate Trump for president MORE (R-S.C.) and Joe Walsh Joe WalshSunday shows preview: Protests continue over shooting of Blake; coronavirus legislation talks remain at impasse Republicans officially renominate Trump for president Tucker Carlson responds to guest correcting pronunciation of Kamala Harris's name: 'So what?' MORE (R-Ill.), have already ended their campaigns.