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Could Monserrate "The Underdog" Win in Queens?
By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 2, 2010
Modified Mar 2, 2010
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By
Sabrina Jaszi
Published Mar 2, 2010
Modified Mar 2, 2010
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Even with a conviction for domestic assault hanging over his head, expelled Sen. Hiram Monserrate is making a go at regaining his seat in Queens. In a March 16th election he'll run as an Independent, facing off against two candidates who are looking increasingly beatable. Republican Robert Beltrani is thought to have little chance in the mainly Democratic district, and Democrat Jose Peralta has a clean record, but some voters feel like they don't know him. They certainly know Monserrate, even if it is from the front page of the tabloids. “Notoriety can result in name recognition. And name recognition can lead to surprising results,” said one Jackson Heights resident who hasn't yet decided between Peralta and Monserrate.
The Times describes how Monserrate has painted himself as an underdog and a "victim of injustice," dubbing his campaign "grass-roots," since it's run on volunteer labor. He's even spun his lack of political endorsements, saying “I’m only concerned with one thing: this community, who has on more than one occasion voted for me. That’s the only endorsement I’m gunning for.” Bizarrely, he's appropriated Obama's "Yes We Can" election slogan, which has now become synonymous with victory against considerable odds.
But will flowery speech beat the facts of Monserrate's domestic abuse case (he was accused of slashing his girlfriend Karla Giraldo, and convicted of assault)? Could be, since Monserrate is also working hard to galvanize his supporters, and according to some voters, canceling out the condemning voices of the media. (Unlike Gov. Paterson, he does not appear to be "lazy.") “There’s a lot of talk about what he did and didn’t do, but if he’s fighting so hard to clear his name, it could be that what’s out there is wrong,” said another Queens resident.
Tagged
assault
domestic abuse
election
hiram monserrate
jose peralta
queens
robert beltrani
scandal
senate
Sabrina Jaszi
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