AP Protesters drew red lipstick marks across their faces every time girlfriend-beater Hiram Monserrate said the word "cut" during a debate last night at a school in Jackson Heights. The booing and heckling got so intense that Monserrate, who was expelled from the State Senate after a misdemeanor conviction for cutting his girlfriend's face with a broken glass, demanded security eject one protester. "We're not doing this," said Monserrate, according to WNYC. "Eject him. Disorderly conduct."
The debate revealed few policy differences between Monserrate and his Democratic rival, Assemblyman Jose Peralta, except for gay marriage. (Peralta is for it, Monserrate voted against it in December.) "I consider myself an advocate for the community," Monserrate pleaded constituents, adding, "One incident does not negate 25 years of service." But voters seem unconvinced; a Siena College poll finds that only 15 percent of likely voters support Monserrate. Peralta has the backing of 60 percent of the voters, while Republican Robert Beltrani had 9 percent, according to the survey. The special election is Tuesday.