By Matthew Monks
The senator soundly beat two opponents in the 2002 general election, has more than $140,000 in campaign funds and 20 years experience on his opponent, a self-employed mapmaker who has lost four campaigns for city offices in the past four years.According to the New York City Campaign Finance Board, Maio ran for Manhattan borough president in 2001, garnering 21 percent of the vote. In 2002, he lost a bid to represent Manhattan's Lower West Side in state Senate District 29. And in 2003, he ran unsuccessfully for a City Council seat in Brooklyn in both a special election and regular election. He faces another tough election this year. He has raised just $1,000 for his campaign vs. Onorato's whopping $145,000, according to financial disclosure reports filed in July with the state Board of Elections.Dozens of private, public, and corporate entities made donations to the senator's campaign, including the Medical Society of New York State, the Uniformed Firefighters Association and Brooklyn-based Socks in Style Inc. Maio's donations, in turn, have come from just two sources: himself and another supporter, the Board of Elections report shows. He could not be reached for comment, but in his 2003 City Council bid he called for a “citizen friendly” government and ran on a platform railing against tax hikes, rent increases and service cuts, according to the campaign finance board. In recent years, Onorato has been actively promoting tenants', veterans' and senior citizens' rights, and has worked to develop the waterfront in Hunters Point in Long Island City, according to his official biography. Markey (D-Maspeth) was first elected to represent the 30th state Assembly District in 1998. A lifelong Maspeth resident, she ran unopposed in the 2002 general election. Reach reporter Matthew Monks at 718-229-0300, ext. 156, or by e-mail at news@timesledger.com
