After nearly 27 years in office, State Sen. George Onorato (D-Astoria) announced this week he will not run for re-election and endorsed Assemblyman Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) to fill his vacant seat. The sudden shake up in Western Queens politics gave way to speculation about who may make a run for Gianaris' open Assembly position.

On Monday, Jan. 11, Onorato released a statement about, what he dubbed, a "bittersweet decision." The veteran politician expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve the 12th Senate district and said upon retirement he will enjoy spending time with his family and act as a full-time constituent of the district.

Onorato ended the statement by lending his support to Gianaris.

"I have known and worked with Mike for many years now, and I know that he will always keep the best interests of the people of Western Queens in the forefront of his efforts in the Senate," he said. "I wish him every success, and support him unequivocally, as he takes this next step in his already bright and distinguished legislative career."

The same day, Gianaris released an official statement launching his bid for State Senate. In the past month, Gianaris has hinted at a run for Senate at a number of gay marriage demonstrations after Onorato voted against the bill legalizing same-sex marriage this December.

After Onorato's "no" vote, across the community many leaders advocated ousting the Senator from power, charging that his stance on number of issues was outdated and no longer representative of his constituents.

Western Queens for Marriage Equality's Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, who was considering a run for Onorato's seat, expressed support for Gianaris and credits Onorato's step down to efforts by gay marriage supporters.

"We can all be proud that we are getting a new Senator; it came in large part because of the movement we created - because thousands of us stood up and demanded better government," Frei-Pearson said. "Our voices were heard. In Mike Gianaris, the people of Senate District 12 will soon have a Senator who truly represents all of us."

There was no mention of the gay marriage issue in Gianaris' release and the content focused largely on the state of the economy.

"New York is at a crossroads," Gianaris said. "We face both a fiscal crisis and a crisis of confidence in state government. I'm running for the State Senate so that I can continue my work to reform state government and help New York turn its economy around."

Gianaris also boasted endorsements from U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria), Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. (D-Astoria), Assemblywoman Marge Markey (D-Maspeth), Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan (D-Sunnyside) and Councilman James Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside).

In terms of Gianaris' Assembly seat, things are still up in the air with no official candidates emerging thus far.

Democrat Aravella Simotas, an Astoria attorney and one-time aide to Council Members Peter Vallone Jr. and Peter Vallone Sr., released a statement through the Parkside Group, a Manhattan-based political consultancy firm, but did not formally announce her candidacy.

"Since Assemblyman Gianaris is not seeking re-election, I am exploring a candidacy for the Assembly in consultation with my family and community leaders," Simotas said. Costa Constantinides, the president of the Queens County Young Democrats, said he is the process of consulting friends, family, community leaders in order to decide if he will run.

"It's something that I am strongly considering," Constantinides said. "I am opening an exploratory committee to look into it."

On the Republican side, Tom Dooley and Robert Hornak are rumored to be considering a bid for the position. Neither returned a phone call for comment.

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.