HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch is withdrawing from the city's mayoral race and throwing his support to one-time opponent Mary Jane Foster in an effort to ultimately defeat former Mayor Joe Ganim, who served seven years in prison for corruption.

Finch, a two-term incumbent, lost the three-way Democratic primary to Gamin and has faced obstacles in securing a place on the November ballot.

While Foster also lost the primary, she previously submitted enough signatures to secure a spot on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate.

Finch said he and his supporters will work to help Foster get elected, saying Bridgeport has ``too much at stake to look backward.''

Foster, the co-founder of the Bridgeport Bluefish, said she's been encouraged by people across Connecticut to remain in the race and challenge Ganim.