Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who considered running for mayor before the term limits law was changed, has endorsed Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s third run for City Hall.

Markowitz, a Democrat, chose Bloomberg over fellow Democrat and Brooklyn-born Comptroller William Thompson.

Thompson faces an uphill climb in the mayoral race; thus far Bloomberg has outspent him by tens of millions of dollars. That margin is expected to grow in the final month before the November 3rd general election.

Bloomberg traveled to Brooklyn’s Borough Hall October 1 to pick up Markowitz’s endorsement. In endorsing the mayor, Markowitz admitted the two have disagreed in the past, but said Bloomberg remains a proven leader.

“Our city’s economy still faces a monumental crisis, one that requires a special expertise to navigate,” said Markowitz. “As a lifelong Democrat and Brooklynite, I am proud today to give my endorsement to a man whose ideas, vision, skill and dedication are truly befitting of both our city’s grand history and its bright future.”

Markowitz said the two would continue working to realize major projects around the borough, including Brooklyn Bride Park and the redevelopment of Coney Island. He said after Bloomberg’s first two terms he is already “one of the greats.”

The mayor returned the kind words, crediting Markowitz for Brooklyn’s growth in the past eight years. Both men were elected to their positions in 2001.

“Marty has consistently been Brooklyn’s most vocal advocate,” Bloomberg said at the endorsement rally. “I am grateful for Marty’s endorsement and together we will continue to make Brooklyn a place that all Brooklynites are proud to call home.”

Markowitz’s decision to back Bloomberg drew criticism from some quarters. Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barron reportedly called the borough president “a traitor” to Brooklyn for snubbing Thompson.

(Daniel Bush)