Ari Hoffnung, a current New York City deputy comptroller and former managing director at Bear Stearns, announced his endorsement of widely-supported candidate Andrew Cohen in the race to fill Oliver Koppell’s term-limited 11th District City Council seat.

Hoffnung was considering a run for the seat up until recently and had raised almost $80,000 for a possible campaign. His departure from the race eliminates another potential rival for Cohen. Also running in the 11th District race are Cliff Stanton and Cheryl Keeling.

A Riverdale resident, Hoffnung ran for the position in 2005, but lost by a three to one margin to Koppell, who has also endorsed Cohen. He made the endorsement announcement over pastries and black coffee at The Corner Café on Riverdale Avenue, near the corner of 236th Street.

Hoffnung was joined by Cohen and a small group of his supporters, including Cohen’s biggest backer, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who represents Riverdale and parts of Kingsbridge and Norwood, Woodlawn and Wakefield, all areas covered under the 11th Council District.

Cohen and Dinowitz congratulated Hoffnung on his decision with vigorous handshakes and pats on the back.

“I have been struggling with whether to enter [the race], and it has been a difficult decision because I am so passionate about public service,” Hoffnung said, hesitating at first. “Now I’m laser-focused on getting Cohen elected,” he added.

His decision to withdraw from the campaign was fueled by an increased commitment to “family obligations,” he said.

“We just had some Snow White cupcakes for my daughter Violet’s birthday,” he said, smiling. “My wife Annie and I are going to be deep in strollers and diapers for the next few years.”

Cohen, an attorney from Riverdale who also serves as a Community Board 8 member, has been widely endorsed by prominent community leaders, elected officials and unions groups.

“He is head and shoulders above the rest,” Hoffnung said of Cohen. “He’s right on the issues, and he’s committed to public service.”