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Ulrich celebrates a birthday, raises funds

About a hundred family members, friends and party faithful gathered in Howard Beach recently at a birthday party for undeclared City Council District 32 (CD32) candidate Eric Ulrich - but nobody called him the “birthday boy.”
The party, held at the Old Mill Yacht Club on Friday, February 29, doubled as a fund-raiser for the Community Board 9 member and City Council aide.
Ulrich, who just turned 23, bristles at the suggestion that he’s too young to run for office, pointing out that U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Congressmember Joseph Crowley were his age or even younger when they first took office.
“Not that I’m pointing to them as good examples,” he quipped, to peals of laughter from the partisan partygoers.
Among the guests who took the microphone was Republican County Chair Phil Ragusa, who praised “this fine young man” and pledged support for Ulrich’s bid.
Mayoral hopeful John Catsimatides appeared, lavishing praise on Ulrich and exhorting the partygoers to participate fully in the electoral process, as did advocate Michael Ricatto of Good Government America.
Gerald Sullivan, the Republican Candidate for the 23rd State Assembly District (AD23) which covers much of the same territory as CD32, also appeared to wish Ulrich “success in all your endeavors.”
Ulrich, who has yet to officially announce himself a candidate for office, listed himself as interested in “City Council” with the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB). “I’m more interested in concentrating on this year’s elections,” he said.
“Since I’m raising funds, I registered with CFB, and put down ‘Council’ because that’s the way I’m leaning,” he continued.
During his thank-you remarks, he got cheers when he informed the gathering that he had already passed the threshold for matching funds set by the CFB.
Ulrich, a graduate of St. Francis College, currently teaches at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn during the day and studies for a Masters degree at St. John’s University in Jamaica at night.
“I’m used to long days,” he said, recounting his time as a community liaison with the Council. “I spend most of my time in the district, but I know my way around City Hall,” he said, dismissing one of the concerns about his experience, which had been expressed by his democratic opponent, Frank Gulluscio.