Keith Christensen, no longer in the race for Salt Lake City mayor, is shifting his support to Ralph Becker.

Christensen, who finished a distant fourth in the Sept. 11 primary election behind Becker, Dave Buhler and Jenny Wilson, said he and Becker "became closer friends during the primary run, unusual in today's world of partisan bickering."

"Ralph Becker conducted himself with dignity throughout the primary," Christensen said in a statement issued Tuesday night. "I have known Ralph personally for many years and have always been impressed with his deliberate and well-reasoned approach to city issues."

Christensen, a former Salt Lake City councilman, spent in the neighborhood of $600,000 on his campaign — the most of any mayoral candidate this year — but failed to advance.

Becker, a Democrat and minority leader in the Utah House, will face Buhler, a former state GOP senator and an eight-year City Council member, in the Nov. 6 election.

Christensen said he believes Becker is the "clear choice" to succeed Rocky Anderson as mayor.

"In the dozens of forums and debates I participated in, Ralph refused to pander for votes; he spoke clearly and stayed focused on important issues facing Salt Lake City," Christensen said. "His experience as a former member of the Planning Commission, a legislator and small-business person will serve him well in the mayor's office."

Becker called Christensen's endorsement "an honor."

"Keith and I worked together when I was on the Salt Lake City Planning Commission, and I appreciated his thoughtful, well-considered approach to matters that came from the Planning Commission to the City Council," he said. "During this campaign, Keith and I developed a rapport that increased my respect and admiration for him. Keith presented himself as enormously capable of serving as the next mayor, and his dignity helped shape a civil mayoral primary."

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