By Bianca Fortis
Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) faced unexpectedly stiff competition for his seat in the City Council from Democrat opponent Lew Simon but retained his post by winning 53 percent of the vote, the Associated Press reported.
For the first few hours after the polls closed, Simon, an Assembly district leader and former private school teacher, was in the lead.
But with 95 percent of the precinct reporting, Simon had 47 percent to Ulrich’s 53 percent.
The candidates were vying to represent District 32, which includes Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South Ozone Park, South Richmond Hill and Woodhaven.
Ulrich, who serves as the minority whip of the Republican delegation in the Council, was elected in a special election in 2009 and then re-elected later that year. His campaign was backed by Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota.
