BIG MALONEY ENDORSEMENTS; SAUJANI SURGES

Rep. Carolyn Maloney is leaving no endorsement opportunity unturned in her primary race against Reshma Saujani, including an April 13 announcement from President Barack Obama. Obama cites the nine-term incumbent"s legislation and funding for first responders in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks among his reasons for supporting Maloney. â??She"s written groundbreaking legislation that is making a lasting difference in the lives of millions of Americans, said Obama, according to the endorsement. A major labor union, the state AFL-CIO, also threw its support to Maloney April 12. The union, which boasts 52,000 members in her district, spanning the East Side and western Queens, cited Maloney"s federal funding of capital projects, such as the Second Avenue subway, and her vote for health care reform. On the fundraising front, Maloney raised $475,000 so far in 2010, according to campaign spokesperson George Arzt. Nearly $400,000 of that will go toward her primary race against Saujani. Arzt said the number of small donations increased since the last quarter. â??We had such a terrific quarter because it was fueled by the small donations's more than before, he said. Meanwhile, Saujani, a first-time candidate, announced another big haul, raising more than $400,000 so far in 2010. The amount raised this quarter matched the previous one, in which she [out-raised] Maloney. â??We"re going to be able to have a strong operation throughout the entire 14th district, said James Allen, Saujani"s campaign spokesperson. â??The fundraising numbers indicate we"re viable and able to compete. We"re excited about it.