New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has publicly dismissed the idea of running for U.S. presidency as an independent, but he has not ruled out the possibility of endorsing another candidate sharing the same political view regarding bipartisan governing.

In an editorial published in Thursday’s New York Times, the 66-year-old billionaire businessman has put an end to the speculations appeared almost two years ago, regarding the fact that he intends to launch a presidential campaign as independent candidate.

“I listened carefully to those who encouraged me to run, but I am not — and will not be — a candidate for president,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “I have watched this campaign unfold, and I am hopeful that the current campaigns can rise to the challenge by offering truly independent leadership.”

Bloomberg said that he will not stay completely out from the presidential race, he will “continue to work to steer the national conversation away from partisanship and toward unity; away from ideology and toward common sense; away from sound bites and toward substance.” The NYC mayor will endorse the candidate that embraces independent, nonpartisan approach:

“And so I have changed my mind in one area. If a candidate takes an independent, nonpartisan approach — and embraces practical solutions that challenge party orthodoxy — I'll join others in helping that candidate win the White House.”

New York City Mayor has ties to Obama, Clinton and John McCain. According to the Associated Press, Bloomberg and Obama met last November for breakfast, and Bloomberg has appreciated Obama’s measures in supporting merit pay for teachers.

He has also worked with Clinton, and has a friendly relationship with Republican Arizona Senator John McCain.

Bloomberg did not explain why he had decided not to run, and criticized the Republican and Democratic contenders for appearing to be afraid to “level with” voters on important topics such as trade, the environment and immigration, Reuters reports.

Bloomberg, who had been a Democrat for many years, switched to the Republican Party in 2001 to run for New York mayor. In 2005 he was reelected, but in June last year he announced that he had left the Republican Party to become an independent.