By Karen Frantz
With slightly more than one month before the November general elections, City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) and state Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) are ratcheting up endorsements by major city players as they continue to campaign for the Senate seat in the 15th District.
The Uniformed Firefighters Association, which represents 8,000 New York City firefighters, including 823 active and retired members in Ulrich’s district, endorsed the councilman Tuesday outside Engine 319, at 78-11 67th Road in Middle Village.
“Eric will be a powerful voice in Albany on behalf of the men and women of the FDNY,” said UFA President Stephen Cassidy. “His record of fighting for the middle class and working to make sure our firefighters have the resources to keep New York City safe is exactly what we need in the Senate.”
Cassidy also said Ulrich’s record in the Council was one that was needed in the Senate.
Ulrich said one of his top priorities if elected would be to make costs of living in Queens more affordable for firefighters and their families.
“I have enormous respect for the men and women of the FDNY, and I’m honored to receive their endorsement,” said Ulrich. “The people of New York City are fortunate to have such brave public servants keeping our neighborhoods safe.”
Ulrich spokeswoman Jessica Proud said the UFA endorsed Addabbo in the last election and switched its endorsement to Ulrich in the current race.
Meanwhile, Addabbo won the endorsement of the Tenants PAC Monday, with Treasurer Michael Mckee saying the senator has been “with us all the way” on issues such as rent control and rent stabilization.
“We need elected officials in Albany who are going to fight for tenants and who are going to fight to preserve affordable housing,” he said.
He argued that Senate Republicans have weakened rent stabilization laws over the last two decades, causing the loss of at least 300,000 rent-stabilized apartments citywide.
He also charged that Ulrich would fall in line with the desires of landlords, not tenants, and pointed to campaign finance records indicating Ulrich has received numerous donations from real estate interests.
Addabbo said he hears from many constituents who are concerned about making ends meet in “this very expensive city.”
“I want them to know that when they go to work and go home and they provide for themselves and their family, that they do have an elected official that’s going to stand by them,” he said.
Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at kfrantz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
