Some Queens Republicans are calling for former U.S. Rep. Bob Turner to claim the chairman seat of the party after former Chairman Phil Ragusa died last month. File Photo
Queens GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa died at a turbulent time for his party and now members are looking where to go next amid infighting and minimal results.
Ragusa, 74, died late last month after a short battle with Leukemia in the company of loved ones. His death came just weeks after his party’s various clubs met in Forest Hills to try and find a common ground and move towards the ultimate goal of getting Republicans elected.
Currently, City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) is the only Republican of that group elected to public office. He did not comment on the future of the party since Ragusa’s death.
Inner-party politics have plagued the Queens group for years, with two distinct factions battling over leadership positions with Ulrich on one side, and Ragusa and company on the other. Several members within the party have been calling for Ragusa to step down so former U.S. Rep. Bob Turner could serve as county leader, citing a botched election for the chairman seat last year.
Kevin Ryan, president of the Northeast Queens Republican Club, said Ragusa’s death was a terrible tragedy, but he still hoped the party could use it as a means to come together and move forward.
“Phil was a longtime Republican who served his party for many years, including some tough times. His passing was very sad and my heart goes out to his family,” Ryan said. “But now, I think we have a great opportunity to move together and make this party stronger than ever. Bob Turner has the experience to lead us into the right direction.”
Ryan looked back to the chairman election back in September 2013, in which both Ragusa and Turner claimed victory for the same spot because of such a close race. Ryan, Ulrich and others argued some committee members were disenfranchised during the process, rendering the election invalid.
Now, Ryan said the entire party should recognize Turner as chairman just as several members already have since the controversial election last year.
“Turner has been the chairman ever since then, and that’s the truth,” Ryan said. “Moving forward, I hope the bylaws are followed and eventually amended to give every district leader a voice in the party so that every vote is counted from now on.”
Ulrich and several other Republicans have also been calling on Ragusa to resign in the months before his death because of his ties to former City Councilman Dan Halloran, who faces federal corruption charges for allegedly scheming to install state Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-Hollis) into last year’s mayor race as a Republican.
GOP spokesman Robert Hornak said the party was looking to reinvigorate itself in Queens by realigning its goals despite any infighting or inner-party politics. Moving ahead, he said those were the only ways the party could overcome the disproportionate numbers of Republicans to Democrats in public office.
By Phil Corso
