Fight Back New York scored its first knockout victory last night.  The New York political action committee, formed to defeat state senators who voted “no” on a marriage equality bill last year, helped keep former Democratic senator Hiram Monserrate from regaining his seat in a special election held yesterday.  Assemblymember Jose R. Peralta easily beat Monserrate, who was expelled by his senate colleagues over a conviction for misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend.

Fight Back had listed eight state senators it plans to help defeat.  Last night it sent a message to its remaining targets:  ”One down.  Seven to go.”