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Moya beats Monserrate in bitterly contested council race

Sept. 13, 2017 By Tara Law

Assemblyman Francisco Moya defeated Hiram Monserrate in a bitterly contested run for city council.

Moya took in 55 percent of the vote, with all districts reporting last night. He will replace Councilmember Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, who represents the 21st Council District that covers Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona and parts of Jackson Heights. According to the unofficial election night results, Moya received 3,480 votes to Monserrate’s 2,782.

Moya contended that his opponent’s criminal history made him an unfit candidate.

Monserrate achieved notoriety in 2009 after he was charged with assault for slashing his girlfriend’s face. He was convicted of a misdemeanor, and in 2010 removed from the state Senate. In 2012, he was sentenced to two years in federal prison for appropriating $100,000 in public money to fund an election campaign.

Moya was elected to the Assembly in 2010, representing Corona and parts of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst.

During his campaign, Moya promised to address issues that impact seniors, youth and workers, including building a new senior center in Lefrak city; creating a “job opportunity center”; and strengthening tenant protection laws.

Moya celebrated his win with supporters at Tony’s Pizza in Corona on Tuesday night, including city council members, Congressman Joe Crowley, and Borough President Melinda Katz.

Tuesday night’s election was Moya’s second victory in a campaign against Monserrate. During Moya’s 2010 assembly run, he defeated Monserrate in the Democratic primary. In 2016, Monserrate also lost a bid to become the district leader of Corona and East Elmhurst.