Rep. Danny Davis has decided to skip a run for mayor of Chicago and instead continue to represent “the greatest Congressional district in the whole country,” the Illinois Democrat said at a news conference on New Year’s Eve.

“That’s pretty cool,” he said, according the Chicago Sun-Times.

Only days ago, Davis had insisted he would stay in the race and resisted efforts by prominent African-American leaders in Chicago to unite behind a single candidate. But Friday, Davis abruptly endorsed former rival and ex-Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, and he did so with gusto.

“I am totally dropping out of the race,” he said. “I am supporting Carol Moseley Braun with every ounce of fervor that I have. I am even going to give her some money.”

The race for mayor of Chicago had already drawn national attention when former Rep. Rahm Emanuel left his position as White House chief of staff to launch a bid.