Mayor Tom Potter announced Thursday that he endorses businessman and community leader Sho Dozono for the next mayor of Portland.

City Commissioner Sam Adams, who has worked closely with Potter for years, is also running for mayor.

Potter's endorsement of Dozono was really a question of when, not whether; the two are friends and Dozono has been Potter's ally in school fundraising.

Potter and Dozono stood side by side in the South Park blocks Thursday morning as Potter explained to reporters why he's endorsing his friend. He's said 64-year-old Dozono is a mature, quiet problem solver with real world experience.

Adams, Potter said, just isn't as a good of a candidate.

Adams has long been considered the front-runner in the race. He and Potter have clashed numerous times over issues, most notably over the recent Cezar Chavez street renaming debacle.

Background: Potter storms out of street-renaming meeting

He was endorsed by former Mayor Vera Katz.

(KGW reporter Randy Neves contributed to this article.)