The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that its publisher, Bruce Kyse, has resigned from the board of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce after that organization decided to start endorsing political candidates.

Kyse said he wanted to avoid the appearance of a conflict. The paper, owned by The New York Times Co., has an editorial board that also endorses candidates, and Kyse sits on that board.

“I did not want the perception that it (the chamber) was influencing our decisions,” Kyse said.

Given the economic downturn, the Chamber wants to endorse candidates who support job creation and promote a business-friendly environment, said Chamber president Jonathan Coe.