Neither the reporters nor the regular editors handle endorsements. Endorsements are made by a board that doesn't get involved with the day-to-day coverage. I worked 15 years at The News and only once was contacted by a memer of the Editorial Board -- and that was to check a fact regarding one of my stories.
That said, the practice of endorsing should end,IMO. No one really pays attention anyway, and it just makes readers think the paper is biased.