Bill Thompson Drops Out of NYC Mayor's Race, Endorses Bill de Blasio

Finished second last week and could've qualified for a runoff, pending counting of paper ballots

Former New York City Comptroller William Thompson withdrew from the mayoral race today, saying he would back Public Advocate Bill de Blasio as the Democratic nominee to avoid a runoff and preserve party unity.

Thompson has called a news briefing for 11 a.m. to make the announcement, the Associated Press reported, citing two people familiar with his decision that it didn't identify.