White endorses Republican candidate Katz

In a political shocker, Democrat John White has thrown his support behind the GOP's choice for Philadelphia mayor. "After months of deliberation and thought, after months of listening to the people of the city, I have concluded that Sam Katz is the best choice for Philadelphia," White said during a morning press conference at Katz's campaign headquarters. Both Katz and Democratic candidate John Street have spent months wooing White, who finished third in the Democratic primary with 22 percent of the vote, and his supporters. But in recent days, news reports said that White was clearly leaning towards Katz. The move comes as a particular surprise given White's longstanding friendship with Street -- the two served together on City Council and White worked with former Council President Street when he headed the Philadelphia Housing Authority -- and a series of damaging negative ads that Katz ran against White in the closing day of the primary race. At the time, White blasted Katz' efforts to handpick his opponent. The endorsement helps solidify the growing perception that Katz will mount a credible challenge in a city that has not elected a Republican mayor since 1947. Katz expressed his excitement about the White backing yesterday, noting that "[White] possesses a willingness to overlook the easy way out and take a courageous step." The announcement is a blow to the Street campaign. Street, who has the endorsement of the popular outgoing Mayor Ed Rendell, discussed the setback at a news conference yesterday. "I don't want to overstate and understate the significance of endorsements," he said. But Street added that "in the end the only endorsement that counts will be made on November 2 this year and I think I will receive the overwhelming support in the general election from the people of this city." White spokesperson David W. Brown said White met with both candidates over the summer to discuss their visions for the city. After discussing issues of labor, economic development and education with Katz -- a former financial consultant who has never held public office -- White decided to support the GOP candidate. "Recognition of the future of the city of Philadelphia had to go beyond politics, beyond party affiliation and beyond race," Brown said. Political experts say that although Street may be downplaying the news, it is clearly bad for his campaign. "Nobody can rationalize this away," Penn History and Public Policy Professor Ted Hershberg said. "This is a huge break for the Katz campaign." Street spokesperson Ray Jones said that although the campaign would have liked White's support, the Democratic candidate can win without it. "We never planned to run [based] on whether John White was with us or not," he added. According to Katz campaign manager Jim Baumbach, White has "committed to a full partnership [and] we expect to have him campaigning for us." Ironically, of the four candidates who ran against Street in the spring, only his most bitter opponent -- political operative Marty Weinberg -- has thus far endorsed his candidacy. Unlike Katz, who campaigned furiously over the summer, Street has kept a low profile for the last few months, which many say has given his Republican challenger a chance to increase his visibility and standing in the polls. The Associated Press contributed to this article.