"He is an elected official, which I think would go a long way," said Bob Turner, a retired businessman, in a telephone interview just now. Ulrich, said Turner, "has a strong base of support and represents almost 40 percent of the district, as a Councilman."

Turner said he talks with Ulrich "all the time" and considers him a "rising star" in the party. If, for some reason, Ulrich decides not to run, Turner said he would again run for the seat "if the party asked me."