Former City Attorney Benjamin Halll III backed away today from running for Houston mayor and endorsed another former city attorney, Gene Locke, for the office that Bill White must vacate next year because of term limits.

Hall and Locke announced the move in person with U.S. Rep. Al Green, who said he had been “a facilitator” in talks between the pair.

The two former city attorneys had talked weeks ago as potential opponents. But, they said, Green more recently helped them focus on the fact that they agree on major issues such as how to create jobs and housing for city residents.

Hall said he was promised no favors in return for deciding not to run. He also said his decision had nothing to do with questions about whether he would meet the 12-month residency requirement for running for the top Houston job. Hall lives in the separate municipality of Piney Point Village but considered himself a resident of Houston because, he said, he owns residential property inside the city.

Hall is registered to vote in Piney Point Village. He said he will switch his registration so he can vote for Locke.