ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A New York state senator expelled by his colleagues for a misdemeanor assault conviction has filed a petition to run in a special election next month to fill his former seat.

Queens Democrat Hiram Monserrate says supporters collected more than 5,500 signatures to get on the ballot March 16, which would be more than required by state election law. The deadline was midnight Monday.

The vacancy was created after the Senate voted 53-8 two weeks ago to expel him. Monserrate was sentenced in December to three years' probation for dragging his girlfriend.

Democratic Party officials are backing Assemblyman Jose Peralta in the heavily Democratic Senate district.

There were no immediate petition challenges Tuesday to the signatures.

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