Hiram Monserrate (Photo: New York State Senate)
Sept. 14, 2018 By Tara Law
Hiram Monserrate, a disgraced former state senator and city councilmember, defeated incumbent George R. Dixon on Thursday to become a Democratic district leader for the 35th district.
Monserrate generated 1,953 votes— 54.42 percent of the vote— and will serve as a district leader representing sections of Corona and Jackson Heights. Dixon received 1,624 votes, 45.25 percent of the total, according to the Board of Elections.
The election was the second time Monserrate had battled with Dixon for the position. In 2016, Dixon was elected to the office by a margin of only 57 votes.
Democratic District Leaders–volunteers who are elected by the party to endorse Democratic candidates and advocate for the needs of the community– are elected by political parties during the primaries.
Monserrate ran on a platform of a “lifetime of service,” and highlighted his time in the Senate, City Council, and as an NYPD officer.
However, Monserrate is best known throughout the City for a series of criminal convictions.
He was expelled from the Senate in 2010 following a misdemeanor conviction for assaulting his girlfriend. Monserrate was accused of slashing her face with broken glass and dragging her around an apartment building lobby.
Then in 2012, he was sentenced to two years in prison for a felony corruption charge.
In the years since his removal from the State Senate, Monserrate has repeatedly campaigned to regain public office. He lost to Jose Peralta in a special election run for the State Senate in 2010. Later that year, he was defeated by Francisco Moya in a Democratic Primary for the State Assembly.
Thank You All who voted and supported our team#NeverGiveUp
Learn from the past and keep moving forward
Democratic District Leader Hiram Monserrate— Hiram Monserrate (@HiramMonserrate) September 14, 2018
