By Colin Campbell 9/04/12 8:25am

i remember them

Bob Dole and Juan Reyes (Photo: Reyes Campaign)

Bob Dole, Donald Rumsfeld Endorse in Queens State Senate Race

Juan Reyes, an attorney campaigning for the Republican nomination to take on Queens State Senator Joe Addabo, has rolled out two endorsements not often seen in New York City politics: former presidential candidate Bob Dole and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. The endorsements can probably be chalked up to the fact that Mr. Reyes worked for both men in Washington before returning to the city to help former Mayor Giuliani’s administration.

“He won’t tolerate the political nonsense that has done so much damage to New York’s economy,” Mr. Dole said in a statement this morning, calling Mr. Reyes an “outstanding leader who will fight for you and your family in Albany.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/15/12 1:21pm

State Senate

Eric Ulrich and Pete King in what may make good material for campaign literature. (Photo: Ulrich Campaign)

Ulrich Unveils Pete King Endorsement [Update]

City Councilman Eric Ulrich, campaigning for the Republican nomination to take on incumbent Senator Joe Addabbo, got a nice little boost for his campaign this afternoon when he announced that Congressman Pete King is endorsing his electoral effort. Although Mr. King doesn’t represent the Queens district, his turf isn’t too far away and the veteran representative very well might be the state’s top GOP official.

“Eric understands that the way to put New Yorkers back to work and grow our economy is by lowering taxes on families and small businesses and reigning in the reckless government spending that has created unsustainable deficits and threatens our competitiveness,” Mr. King said in the statement. “His conservative principles of limited government, safe streets and a strong quality of life will make him an excellent representative in Albany and I urge all Republicans to vote for him on September 13th.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/29/12 2:53pm

queens

Eric Ulrich (Photo: Facebook)

Eric Ulrich Picks Up Conservative Endorsement

While the Queens Republican Party can’t quite seem to get its act together and unify behind Councilman Eric Ulrich, the leading GOP candidate against Democratic Senator Joe Addabbo, the county’s Conservative Party gave Mr. Ulrich a fist bump with an official endorsement today.

“Eric understands that job creation is the key to strengthening our communities and putting New York back on the right path,” Queens Conservative Chairman Tom Long said in a statement. “He will fight for lower taxes on small businesses and provide incentives for businesses to hire and grow. We need new leaders in Albany, like Councilman Ulrich, who will focus on fixing the economy and making our neighborhoods safe.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 5/22/12 6:03pm

State Senate

Eric Ulrich (Photo: Facebook)

Breaking Ranks, Eric Ulrich Endorses Minimum Wage Hike

Queens Councilman Eric Ulrich, currently a candidate for the State Senate against Joe Addabbo, announced he supports legislation to increase New York State’s minimum wage to $8.50 this evening. The move places him on the opposite side of the issue than Majority Leader Dean Skelos and the Republican conference, who steadfastly oppose the legislation.

“People are hurting in Queens and the current minimum wage simply isn’t enough to make ends meet for families here,” Mr. Ulrich said in a statement. “Single parent households are especially hit hard by the rising cost of living in New York. The bottom line is that there simply aren’t enough hours in the week at $7.25 per hour to pay the rent or mortgage and to buy the basic household items they need. I have listened to both sides of this argument, but one truth resonates more than any other: If we don’t take this action, too many families are going to go under.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4/25/12 12:58pm

assists

dan halloran wiki

Could Eric Ulrich’s Campaign Help Dan Halloran?

Councilman Eric Ulrich announced his campaign for the New York State Senate yesterday, a move that places the very  strongest Republican candidate possible in contention against incumbent State Senator Joe Addabbo, who resides in a swing district. Mr. Ulrich’s campaign could also give an indirect boost to his colleague in the City Council, Dan Halloran, who will also be on the November ballot, but for an overlapping congressional district. Read More

By Colin Campbell and Hunter Walker 4/24/12 10:11am

Young Guns

Eric Ulrich (Photo: Facebook)

Eric Ulrich Announces for State Senate [Video]

GOP Councilman Eric Ulrich announced his candidacy for a State Senate against incumbent Joe Addabbo this morning, putting a new seat in play that previously lacked a strong challenger.

“Today,  I am excited to announce that I will be a candidate for State Senate in District 15,” he said in a video posted on YouTube. “This was not an easy decision for me to make and I had every intention of running for reelection next fall. But the stakes are simply too high. While I’ve been able to accomplish many great things at the local level, I believe I can accomplish even more.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 4:04pm

gop to dem

Councilman Ulrich (Photo: Facebook)

Eric Ulrich: I Can’t Blame Peter Koo For Switching Parties

The New York Times reported this afternoon that Queens Councilman Peter Koo will switch his registration to the Democratic party, reducing the number of Republicans in the City Council to four. In an interview with The Politicker, Mr. Koo’s Queens colleague, GOP Councilman Eric Ulrich, lamented what he called “major blow” to the party and placed substantial blame on the Queens Republican Party for failing to do enough to keep Councilman Koo.

“I’m really disappointed, but at the same time I can’t blame him. Peter is a rock star and a superstar in his community. He represented the future of this party and I tried to do everything I could to help him stay in the Republican Party. But I don’t think people at county level or the local level were particularly helpful in respect to that.”

Councilman Ulrich’s comments echo what sources told the Times, saying that Mr. Koo’s switch came because “he did not feel appreciated by the Queens Republican Party and infighting in the county organization made him increasingly uncomfortable.” Read More

By David Freedlander 7/26/11 5:22pm

very special elections

goldfeder and chuck

Pride of Chucky: Ex-Aide Raises $120K for Assembly Run

Phil Goldfeder, a former aide to Senator Chuck Schumer who left his post a few months ago to mount an Assembly run, has raised a whopping $120,000 in just a few short weeks.

“What can I say? I have been working hard,” Goldfeder said when reached by phone this afternoon out in Queens. He was preparing to go door-knocking at an apartment complex. “I raised the money because I have been fortunate enough over the last ten years to build a network of friends and supporters who came through in a big, big way.” Read More