Monserrate Coopts Obama Slogan

Hiram Monserrate, ousted from the New York state senate for a misdemeanor conviction of assault on his girlfriend, is using President Barack Obama's "Yes We Can" slogan in his attempt to regain his seat in next month's special election. Monserrate is one of eight Democrats who voted against the marriage equality bill in the senate last year.

According to the New York Daily News, Monserrate filed far more nominating signatures than required on Tuesday, part of his effort to get on the ballot for the March 16 election. He is allowed to run again, although Democrats have already chosen Assemblyman Jose Peralta as their candidate for the Queens senate seat.

Monserrate intends to rally voters with the message that his ouster disenfranchised their right to elect their representatives.

"The ousted senator is using Obama's successful 'Yes We Can' campaign slogan as his party label in a bid to win back his seat," reports the Daily News.