As the Hiram Monserrate expulsion saga continues over the next several months, here are several key people to watch and the seats they want.
Jose Peralta Assemblymember Jose Peralta – the current Assemblymember for the 39th District in western Queens – is running in the Special Election for the seat previously held by Monserrate. Peralta is the Queens County Democratic Organization’s choice and frontrunner to be the next Senator in District 13.
“They’re tired, they’re frustrated, they’re embarrassed with what’s going on with the senator,” Peralta told The Courier when he announced he was going to run for Senate back in October of 2009. “People are frustrated and above all, the needs of our communities are not being met because he is so busy dealing with his own issues.”
Julissa Ferreras City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras could be a key player in a potential matchup between Monserrate and Peralta. Ferreras served as the Chief of Staff for then-City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate, and she succeeded Monserrate in the City Council after he became a State Senator.
Although she remained relatively quiet on her former boss during his trial, Ferreras is now supporting Peralta in the Special Election – endorsing him on February 11. Her support in the community and popularity amongst unions could swing some Monserrate supporters in favor of Peralta.
Francisco Moya
Francisco Moya, a lifelong Queens resident who most recently ran in a Special Election last January for the 21st City Council seat, has already declared his candidacy for Peralta’s Assembly seat – should Peralta be elected State Senator.
Moya already started his fundraising efforts and received the endorsement of Congressmember Joseph Crowley, who also chairs the Queens County Democratic Organization, and Congressmember Nydia Velázquez.
“I think the main thing for us is to bring back dignity and integrity to leadership here in our communities, and we have to bring some transparency here to Albany,” Moya said, referring to Monserrate’s actions during the past 15 months.
William Salgado
A Jackson Heights lawyer, William Salgado said he is seriously weighing a challenge for Peralta’s seat should it come open either after the Special Election or in the primary. Salgado ran for the Assembly in 1998, 2000 and 2002 – losing to Peralta in his final two attempts.
Salgado said that he is taking the preliminary steps to organize a campaign, and he may run again this year because he will not have to go up against an incumbent.
“The combination of my experience as a lawyer and living and knowing the community make me very well qualified candidate,” he said.
