By Nathan Duke
State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) said he will run for George Onorato’s (D-Astoria) seat this fall after the longtime senator for western Queens announced earlier this week that he will not seek re-election.
Onorato, 82, said Monday that he would not run for another term as Astoria’s senator and threw his support behind Gianaris, 39, who had been eyeing a bid for state attorney general but will now run for Onorato’s seat.
The senator, the oldest member of the Senate, first took office after winning a special election in 1983.
A Democratic Party source said Onorato had taken heat from some party members after he opposed a same-sex marriage bill. The senator was one of four Queens Democrats to vote against the bill on Dec. 2. But the source said Onorato had long been considering retirement and that his vote on gay marriage was not the reason he is stepping aside for Gianaris.
“There had been discussions between George and the party, but the decision was mutual,” the source said.
Gianaris officially announced his plans this week to run for Onorato’s seat.
“The Senate has faced tough challenges over the past year and I think my experience will help move it in the right direction,” Gianaris said. “I’ve been an independent voice of reform for the last 10 years in the Assembly and I’ve been a voice for making wise budget decisions.”
If elected, the assemblyman vowed to continue fighting plans to construct additional power plants in western Queens as well as working on environment and quality-of-life issues for the district.
In a statement, Onorato said he supported Gianaris’ bid for his seat.
The assemblyman “always puts our community first and he is the best choice to succeed me,” Onorato said.
Western Queens officials said Onorato had been a good leader in the community. The senator often focused on labor, acting as chairman of the legislative body’s Standing Committee on Labor, as well as health care and veterans issues.
“He served this neighborhood honorably for a long, long time,” City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) said. “Despite the ethical cloud in Albany, George stood out like a beacon of light. There was never a hint of scandal because that’s the type of person he is.”
Community leaders said they believed Gianaris was a strong choice to replace Onorato.
“Mike’s young and progressive,” Democratic District Leader Costa Constantinides said. “He’ll bring his strong legislative skills to Albany. I’ve worked with him for a long time, so I’m pretty excited. I couldn’t think of anyone who would be better for the job.”
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
