Friedman says he decided to drop his gubernatorial bid after visiting with Democratic candidate Bill White over the weekend.
While Friedman says he was impressed with White, he's not endorsing a Democratic candidate in that race. Friedman is longtime friends with Houston hair product magnate Farouk Shami, who is also a Democratic candidate for governor.
Friedman says he's making the change "with a happy heart."
Friedman ran for governor as an independent unsuccessfully in 2006.