Onorato To Seek Re-Election To 12th Senate District Seat

State Senator George Onorato (D-Astoria/Long Island City) on Monday announced his intention to seek re-election to the Queens senate seat he has held since 1983.

"I am delighted to announce today that I am planning to seek re-election this November to the 12th senate district in Queens," Onorato said. "With senate Democrats just two seats away from winning the majority in the senate, this is a very exciting time in our state government, and I want to be a part of it. It has been a tremendous privilege to serve the people of Queens throughout the years, and there is a great deal of work left to be done to improve health care, provide greater educational opportunities for our children, ease the tax burden on working families, and reform state government to make it more transparent and accountable to all New Yorkers.

"During the course of the campaign, it is certain that my record in the senate will receive great scrutiny, and I look forward to a vigorous debate on the important issues facing Queens and our state as a whole. In this light, I fully expect that questions will arise regarding my attendance record during last year's legislative session, when I was excused from my work in Albany during the months of April and May. During this period, I was successfully treated in Queens for prostate cancer, receiving frequent radiation therapy. Although I was unable to physically be in Albany for those months of the legislative session, I continued to work in my district office and conduct the business of state government. As a prostate cancer survivor, I have a new appreciation for cancer screening, and will work to raise awareness of this very important health issue in the days to come.

"I appreciate the support I have received from the people of Queens since my first election to the senate in 1983, and hope to continue serving, come November, as their voice and representative both at home in the community and in our state's capitol."

State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith hailed the news of Onorato's plans to run for re-election. "Senator Onorato is an integral and respected member of our Conference who brings a great deal of talent, dedication and experience to the table," he declared. "I greatly look forward to continuing to work with him in Albany and Queens to address the most vital needs of all New Yorkers, particularly as we move ever closer to winning a Democratic majority in the state senate."