CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. -- Former Mayor Thomas Lazieh has endorsed Joseph P. Moran III in next month's special election that will determine who will run the city next year.
Lazieh, who served as mayor for three terms in the 1990s, finished third in the five-way mayoral primary that was held on Nov. 6. James A. Diossa ran away from the field with 60 percent of the vote, while Moran was next with 18 percent and Lazieh with 15 percent.
Lazieh said that both Moran and Diossa sought his support, but he decided to endorse the former police chief even though ``he's a long shot for mayor.''
He said that Moran, 50, has more experience and Lazieh said he's concerned with Diossa's support from outside Central Falls.
A spokesman for Diossa says he never sought Lazieh's endorsement.
An earlier version of this report was posted at 1:04 p.m.