Monserrate for Council? No way: pols

SEVEN candidates who are seeking to be the next City Council speaker have formed a united front in opposing the candidacy of ex-con Hiram Monserrate, the Daily News has learned.

Councilmen Robert Cornegy, Corey Johnson, Mark Levine, Donovan Richards, Ydanis Rodriguez, Ritchie Torres and Jimmy Van Bramer endorsed Assemblyman Francisco Moya (photo inset), who is challenging Monserrate for the seat being vacated by Councilwoman Julissa FerrerasCopeland — herself once a leading speaker contender.

Monserrate was convicted of fraud for stealing city money during a previous tenure as a councilman — and was expelled from the state Senate after he slashed his girlfriend’s face with a glass.

In a joint statement, the group heaped praise on Moya — calling him “without a doubt, the best candidate to serve the community.”

“From championing the DREAM Act to fighting for the $15 minimum wage to supporting affordable housing, Assemblyman Moya is truly dedicated to bettering the lives of the families that call this city home,” the pols wrote.

But the group also zeroed in on Monserrate, saying his candidacy was “repugnant” and that the former pol had “no place in elective office.”

“His history of corruption and violence, for which he has never fully accepted responsibility, is a disgrace and disqualifier for public office,” they said.

Not only won’t they support Monserrate, the group said they won’t accept any support from him, should he be elected, in their bids to become speaker.

“I wonder which of those individuals will call me first to get my support for speaker when I win this Council race,” Monserrate shot back in response to the group’s endorsement of his rival.

Johnson said he didn’t believe Monserrate would be elected — but said if he is, he’d be shunned by potential speakers.