Despite not having any Democratic general election opponent - or, for that matter, leftover bills from a bruising primary - State Sen. Abel Maldonado is still collecting thousands in campaign contributions.

Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) reported $8,000 in donations late last week, though he's running for a second term against only third-party competition.

No Democrat filed the necessary paperwork to run on the June 3 primary ballot, and a write-in candidate, Pismo Beach attorney Dennis Morris, didn't receive enough write-in votes to make the November ballot.

Jim Fitzgerald, a registered Independent and former Democrat, has qualified to run against Maldonado in November.

A political consultant working with Maldonado did not return a call seeking comment. Maldonado previously ran for state Controller in 2006 but lost in the primary to then-Assemblyman Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark).

At the time, Maldonado said a lack of support from fellow Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger contributed to his defeat, but later apologized. He has also said he has no plans to run for office after he is termed out in 2012.

A moderate, Maldonado often votes with Democrats on such issues as the state budget.