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eric ulrich

2 By Colin Campbell 1/19 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."

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1 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

4 By Azi Paybarah 7/07/11 11:25am

NY-9

2009 Puerto Rican Day Parade

Democrats Pick Quiet, Wonky David Weprin to Replace Weiner

The Queens Democratic County Organization just selected David Weprin to be the party's nominee for the congressional seat vacated by Anthony Weiner.

Weprin is a freshman Assemblywman who served two terms in the City Council as its Finance Chairman before coming in last place in the Democratic primary for City Comptroller in 2009.

His father was Speaker of the Assembly for many years and his brother -- a former Assemblyman  -- now holds David's seat in the Council. He's wonky, prone to long explanations about complicated financial matters, and has not carved out a maverick persona for himself, benefiting, rather, from close ties to one of the city's strongest political machines. Read More

4 By David Freedlander 7/05/11 6:01pm

NY-9

City Councilman Eric Ulrich (photo credit: azi paybarah / observer)

Ulrich Declines to Run for Congress

NY1 is reporting that City Councilmember Eric Ulrich will reveal tonight that he is not going to seek the Congressional seat vacated by Anthony Weiner.

"I have a great job, I love what I do,” Ulrich told the network. “I have the benefit of working with some really great people on the City Council and did I want to give up the rest of my term on the City Council and possibly getting re-elected in 2013 or even re-elected after that because of the term limits loophole, to be in Congress for a year-and-a-half? That was something that I really had to think about. In talking with my family and friends, that was one of the reasons why I decided not to do this." Read More

1 By Azi Paybarah 7/05/11 2:28pm

NY-9

turner

Weiner’s 2010 Challenger Wants Eric Ulrich to Run

The Republican challenger who got nearly 40 percent of the vote against Anthony Weiner last year said he'll back Republican Eric Ulrich if the Councilman decides to run.

"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."

1 By Azi Paybarah 6/15/11 1:56am

anthony weiner

Staying or Going? Either way, Anthony Weiner isn't making it easy for New York. (photo credit: azi paybarah / observer)

Anthony’s Exposure: New York Has a Long Hard Weiner Problem

After a nationally watched campaign in upstate New York, Kathy Hochul made her New York City debut Monday morning at the stately University Club on West 54th Street.Hundreds of guests attending the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Breakfast milled around a breakfast buffet of muffins and fruit salad, while their host, Nora Brenes, introduced Mrs. Hochul as the winner of a special election "that came about as a result of our male New York congress members who keep taking their shirts off," according to one attendee.

The crowd laughed, because an Anthony Weiner joke at a Democratic political function is one that needs no explanation. He is, much to the chagrin of his New York colleagues, everywhere: overshadowing their message, imperiling a safe congressional seat, and affecting their redistricting plans. Read More