Aubry takes commanding lead over Monserrate after in-person votes tallied

Assemblymember Jeff Aubry leads challenger Hiram Monserrate by 21 percentage points after in-person votes were counted. Photo courtesy of Aubry’s office

By David Brand

Two days ago, the Eagle published an article pondering a question that has dogged political observers throughout Queens:

Could veteran incumbent Assemblymember Jeff Aubry lose to challenger Hiram Monserrate, a politician expelled from the state senate following his conviction for a domestic violence-related misdemeanor and later sentenced to federal prison on public corruption charges?

The answer, at least based on in-person voting results, is No.

Poll results from the June 23 primary election show Aubry with a commanding lead. He received 59 percent of the vote compared to 31.9 percent for Monserrate. Thousands of absentee ballots have yet to be counted in the race for Assembly District 35

The two candidates couldn’t be more different. Aubry, a criminal justice reform advocate before it became a popular issue in Albany, is the assembly’s Speaker Pro Tempore and a universally well regarded among state lawmakers.

Monserrate, to put it mildly,  is not. 

Nevertheless, he maintains a loyal following and operates one of the borough’s most active Democratic clubs. That concerned Aubry allies who stepped up efforts in recent weeks to get the 14-term legislator re-elected. Their get-out-the-vote work may have paid off.