By Gabriel Rom
A spokesman for Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) says that his office is not putting too much into reports that the Queens GOP is pushing him to run for Mayor.
“This isn’t something we haven’t heard before, and it’s not in our plans, quite honestly,” said Robbie Schwach, a legislative aide and spokesman for Ulrich. “We are focused on serving constituents in this district.”
The New York Post reported Tuesday that Queens Republican Chairman Bob Turner, state GOP head Ed Cox and 2013 Republican mayoral nominee Joe Lhota have all encouraged Ulrich to run against Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Schwach, though, said that Ulrich isn’t looking that far ahead.
“If this adds cache to the office so that we can increase our services to our constituents, then it’s all the more positive,” he said.
Ulrich, one of only three Republicans in the city council, and Queens’ only member of the GOP, would face a difficult political climb, as Democrats hold a super majority in city government and a 6-to1 voter-registration advantage.
Nevertheless, Robert Holden, President of Juniper Valley Civic Association, was bullish on Ulrich’s future prospects.
“The city needs him. Queens certainly needs him, and Middle Village desperately needs him,” Holden said. “I remember when Councilman Tom Ognibene introduced me to Eric when he was 18 and Tom said ‘this young man will one day be mayor.’ Working with Eric Ulrich over the years I found out quickly that Tom may have underestimated Eric… why not governor?”
Ulrich began his political career as an aide to Ognibene in Middle Village. Holden and Ulrich worked closely together at the time, and the two worked on building the Howard Beach civic association. Holden then volunteered for Ulrich on his district leader and city council campaigns.
“I’m a Democrat and I’ve seen firsthand how he works so well with both parties. He’s a moderate Republican and the smartest and most mature beyond his years young man I’ve ever met,” he added.
Ulrich, who served 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. In 2013 Ulrich defeated Democratic challenger Lew Simon. His campaign was backed by Republican mayoral candidate Joe Lhota.
Ulrich has spent much of his time in the Council focusing on veteran affairs, good governance policies and helping to rebuild the battered Far Rockaway peninsula after Hurricane Sandy.
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
