The Daily News: Dromm Joins Peralta in Triumph

From The Daily News: By Clare Trapasso, Michael J. Feeney and Leo Standora

Beleaguered former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate drew a resounding thumbs-down from Queens voters Tuesday in a bid to reclaim his Senate seat. Popular Assemblyman Jose Peralta crushed Monserrate with 65% of the vote to his rival's 27%, according to the unofficial final tally in the special election. Republican candidate Robert Beltrani got about 7% of the vote in Queens' heavily Democratic 13th Senatorial District.

Ecstatic supporters chanted "Jose! Jose! Jose!" as Peralta, 37, arrived at the Gran Rancho Jubilee restaurant in East Elmhurst to celebrate after the polls closed. "Did we win?" city Controller John Liu responded with a wide grin to a question from the crowd. "We won big-time! Today is a good day for New Yorkers; we have a real Democrat representing the 13th District." City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Queens) added, "This is the final nail in Hiram Monserrate's coffin, and we are burying him!"

But Monserrate, who ran as an independent after being tossed from the Senate for assaulting his girlfriend, promised about 50 of his supporters at Natives Restaurant there would be more to come. "This is not the last of Hiram Monserrate," the 42-year-old said at the Jackson Heights restaurant, declining to go into details about his future. Referring to his anemic polling numbers that showed him trailing by 45 points, Monserrate said, "From the beginning this was a battle of Goliath proportion." He then congratulated Peralta. "To my opponent, who tonight savors victory, I wish him the best," he said.

Earlier, Monserrate's girlfriend stood by her man - even though a restraining order is keeping them apart. Karla Giraldo released a YouTube video in English and in Spanish urging voters to cast their ballots for Monserrate in the special election. "I'm asking for your support to elect Hiram Monserrate for New York State Senatorial District 13," Giraldo said as she held up a Monserrate sign in the 20-second video. "Yes, we can vote Hiram."

Monserrate was kicked out of the Senate five weeks ago after a misdemeanor conviction for dragging Giraldo through an apartment lobby. He was acquitted of slashing her face with a broken glass. He lost a court fight to void his expulsion, setting up the high-stakes special election.

The Village Voice: Dromm Key to Peralta Victory

From The Village Voice: By Steven Thrasher

​"This is the final nail in Hiram Monserrate's coffin, and now we have buried him!" declared City Council member Daniel Dromm in East Elmhurst last night, before newly elected State Senator Jose Peralta addressed his supporters and most of the leaders of the city's Democratic establishment.

It was a rocky brawl near the end of Jose Peralta's two to one victory over ousted State Senator Hiram Monserrate for the special election in the 13th Senate District of Queens. Even though Peralta's victory -- with more than 65 percent of the vote -- wasn't even close, it was at times a rough fight in the race's final hours.

Dromm and Peralta Celebrate Victory

City Council Member Daniel Dromm and Senator-elect Jose Peralta at Peralta's Victory Party. East Elmhurst 3/16/10