BREAKING NEWS: Candidates spar as Monserrate attempts to reclaim seat

Protesters with lipstick smeared on their faces heckled recently ousted lawmaker Hiram Monserrate during Thursday’s debate. PHOTO BY Sergey Kadinsky Ousted former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate squared off against Democratic Assemblyman Jose Peralta and Republican Robert Beltrani in a debate on Thursday night — seeking to reclaim the seat he was removed from just weeks ago.