ALBANY - A poll shows that a New York state senator trying to reclaim the seat he was expelled from last month is trailing by a large margin ahead of Tuesday's special election in Queens.

The Siena College poll finds that only 15 percent of likely voters support former Sen. Hiram Monserrate. He originally won the seat as a Democrat, but is running now on his own "Yes We Can" line.

Assemb. Jose Peralta, the Democrats' candidate, has the backing of 60 percent of the voters in the heavily Democratic 13th Senate District. Republican Robert Beltrani had 9 percent.

Monserrate was sentenced to probation and expelled from the Senate after he was convicted of a misdemeanor assault on his girlfriend. The poll released Friday surveyed 620 people Wednesday and Thursday. It has a margin of error of 3.9 points.

- AP

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses. Credit: Randee Dadonna

Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses. Credit: Randee Dadonna

Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME