Former New York state Sen. Hiram Monserrate, who was expelled from the Senate over a misdemeanor conviction for assaulting his girlfriend, has slim chances of re-taking his seat in a special election, according to a new poll.
In the poll by Siena College, Monserrate, a former Democrat running on his own “Yes We Can” party line, is trailing to Democrat Jose Peralta by 45 points.
Peralta, an assemblyman, has the support of 60% of voters, according to the poll, followed by Monserrate’s 15%. The Republican in the race, Robert Beltrani, has 9%. 15% are undecided.
Peralta even has a slight lead among Republicans, with 34% to Beltrani’s 32% and Monserrate’s 19%.
Among those polled, 60% had a favorable view of Peralta, and 56% had an unfavorable view of Monserrate.
The special election is scheduled for Tuesday. There is a hearing this afternoon on Monserrate’s appeal to delay the election.
Monserrate was kicked out of the Senate last month after being convicted of misdemeanor assault. He allegedly slashed his girlfriend’s face with glass in 2008, then dragged her through his building’s lobby in order to take her to the hospital.
Some believe he was expelled not for the conviction, but as retribution for taking part in a coup last summer in Albany. Monserrate and another senator briefly switched to the Republican Party, bringing the state legislature to a standstill.
