It seems former Senator Hiram Monserrate has lost the first round in his fight to overturn his removal from the State Senate. Friday, a federal judge denied Monserrate's request for an injunction that would have temporarily blocked last week's expulsion vote. It also would have prevented the March 16th special election for the now vacant 13th senate district seat. Our Grace Rauh has more on the court ruling, and the election.

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"The question of who should represent the 13th Senatorial District is one for the voters, not this Court," the judge wrote in his ruling.

"We are disappointed and we are reviewing the decision," said Norman Siegel, Monserrate's attorney.

Siegel says they haven't decided yet to appeal the ruling.

In the meantime, all eyes are turning to the March 16th Special Election to fill Monserrate's former Senate seat. Monserrate is running for his old job against Assemblyman Jose Peralta, who has the backing of the Queens Democratic Party.

"I'm knocking on doors, I'm talking to people and people are just saying it's about time, he should just move on. He should just let it go. People are fed up," Peralta said.

Former City Councilmember Helen Sears, meanwhile, could also be in the mix. Sears was a Democrat on the council, but Republican leaders are considering supporting her as their candidate.

Some critics, though, think Monserrate should get out of the race.

"I think it would be a good time for Senator Monserrate to take a look in the mirror. Accept responsibility for his own conduct, maybe get to the counseling sessions he's apparently been skipping, rather than running again," said Senator Eric Schneiderman.

But in Monserrate's district, New Yorkers we spoke with disagree.

"I think that he should run again," one New Yorker said.

"For the past nine to 10 years, he was doing a great job. We never had a problem with him. So hopefully he might continue doing a nice job," another New Yorker said.

"I think he should still run. The people support him. He should go forward," another New Yorker said.