New York, NY —

A federal appeals court has rejected former Queens state senator Hiram Monserrate's request to undo his expulsion from the senate and cancel a March 16 special election to fill his vacant seat.

Monserrate tried to appeal a district court decision upholding the state legislature's authority to expel its members. He must now continue as a candidate in next Tuesday's election.

Monserrate's running against Democratic Assemblyman Jose Peralta and Republican state judge Robert Beltrani. Monserrate has received no official endorsements and is running under his own party name, "Yes We Can."