Could Monserrate Win It Back?
Despite his reputation being tarnished by his misdemeanor conviction and his role in the leadership coup that paralyzed the State Senate last summer, Monserrate still has supporters in the district. He touts his achievements over the years as both a city councilman and a State Senator, pointing out that he had gotten funding to refurbish playgrounds and parks, and was able to get legislation passed in Albany, even after antagonizing the Senate leadership. Monserrate did not receive the ballot line of the Democratic Party, or any other party, for the special election. He was able to secure enough signatures to get on the March 16 ballot as an independent – a campaign that has created controversy among Democrats for using the campaign slogan of President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, Yes We Can, as his ballot name. Monserrate’s campaign literature includes a logo that looks very familiar; a yellow Q which greatly resembles the O used as the logo of Obama’s campaign. Obama won 82 percent
