People in western Queens should get used to seeing Hiram Monserrate versus Jose Peralta at the ballot box.
That’s because some voters could be picking sides between the political rivals on two separate occasions during the next seven months – a March 16 Special Election and a September primary.
If a federal judge throws out Monserrate’s legal motion that would cancel the Special Election Governor Paterson called for Tuesday, March 16, Monserrate still plans to run in the Special Election.
“That’s his intention,” Monserrate spokesperson Mike Nieves told The Courier on Tuesday, February 16. “He also plans to run in the primary in September.”
Peralta, who has represented Queens in the Assembly since 2002, announced his plan to challenge Monserrate in the September primary shortly after Monserrate’s misdemeanor assault conviction in October 2009. At the time, Peralta did say he would run in a Special Election should Monserrate resign or be expelled from office – an action that the State Senate took on February 9.
On Thursday, February 11 – the same day Monserrate filed an order to show cause in federal court that would overturn the Senate’s expulsion and cancel the March Special Election – Peralta was receiving the endorsement of a number of Queens Councilmembers. One of those was Councilmember Julissa Ferreras – a one-time Monserrate protégé who succeeded him after he was elected to the Senate last January.
“Whether it is championing equal pay, advocating for women’s reproductive rights or calling for the creation of a domestic violence task force, women in this community, and throughout New York State, can trust Jose Peralta to do what is right,” said Ferreras, who currently chairs the Women’s Committee in the City Council.
Queens Councilmembers Peter Vallone Jr., Danny Dromm, Mark Weprin, James Gennaro and Karen Koslowitz and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn also endorsed Peralta.
“Jose Peralta understands the issues facing the people of Queens and he’s a fighter for equality for all New Yorkers,” said Quinn.
Quinn praised Peralta for his support on the same-sex marriage act – something Monserrate voted against last year. She also talked about his exemplary work on issues like affordable housing and education.
“He’s a passionate advocate for increasing state aid in school districts with greater numbers of poor children and low interest student loans,” Quinn said.
Nieves acknowledged that Monserrate might have a better chance to beat Peralta in the September primary than in the Special Election, but that won’t prevent him from running in March.
“He’s got nothing to lose, if he loses [in March] he runs again in the primary,” Nieves said. – See this week’s Editorial.
