Sarah Thomson has dropped out of the race for mayor and is joining forces with George Smitherman's campaign.
Last week, reports suggested Thomson could bow out of the race to help prevent a Rob Ford win.
"George understands the big picture for Toronto," Thomson said in a 10 a.m. news conference.
The publisher of the Women's Post thanked supporters, volunteers and everyone who has been a part of her campaign.
Rocco Rossi, who sits in last in the latest poll numbers, says Thomson's decision to drop out of the election will help his campaign instead of Smitherman's.
Rossi says his team's internal polling shows the bulk of her voters will come his way because, like Rossi, Thomson was not a career politician.
"I'm quite confident that this is going to be a boost to my campaign."
The news comes the morning after Rob Ford released details of his cost-cutting plan that he says will save the city $2.8 billion in four years, which he posted on YouTube.
Ford's policy includes cutting city council from 44 to 22 members and using attrition to eliminate some city positions. He says he wants to also reduce government salaries and benefits.
"It's time to stop the gravy train that provides luxuries and perks to politicians and rich contracts to their friends," he says in the video. "It's time to re-focus city government on doing its job efficiently and effectively while respecting the taxpayers of Toronto."
He also wants to create a program to encourage employees to submit ideas to save money at city hall.
