Photo Courtesy of Eric Ulrich 2017
Former Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (l.), a proud Democrat, endorsed GOP Councilman Eric Ulrich (second from l.) in Ozone Park on Monday.
By Michael V. Cusenza
City Councilman Eric Ulrich’s (R-Ozone Park) campaign might have called it “a stunning show of bipartisan unity,” but anyone who has covered south Queens politics over the past eight years knows that former Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder’s announcement Monday morning that he is endorsing Ulrich in the incumbent’s run for his last and final term representing Council District 32, and chairing the “Democrats for Ulrich” group, is just more evidence of a mutually beneficial relationship that has traversed aisles and transcended party lines.
“This bipartisan endorsement will further demonstrate Councilman Ulrich’s commitment to representing and fighting for all his constituents,” the campaign said.
On Monday in Ozone Park, Goldfeder, a popular public servant who represented the 23rd Assembly District from September 2011 to November 2016, said that Ulrich has always been about his constituents, regardless of party affiliation.
“It’s not about label, it’s not about always agreeing on everything,” Goldfeder added. “It’s about working hard and getting the job done…[Eric] has been an amazing partner to me and to all of our families.”
Ulrich, who thanked his friend for his “trust, confidence, and friendship,” pledged that his campaign leading up to the Nov. 7 general election will be marked by “a broad coalition of support [from] Democrats, Republicans and Independents.”
Ulrich and Goldfeder worked on myriad issues and initiatives together in south Queens communities before Goldfeder decided not to run for re-election in 2016 and took a job with Yeshiva University, including rebuilding neighborhoods in the hectic aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, transportation safety, and the concerns of military veterans.
Ulrich, who in March announced that he had decided against running for mayor this year, is set to take on Democrat Mike Scala in the general election. Scala tallied 44 percent of the vote in last week’s Primary to earn the nomination.
“Our neighbors voted overwhelmingly for better transportation, more health care options, educational innovations and holding the City accountable to us,” Scala said on Thursday. “We look forward to carrying this winning message to the general election in November.”
Scala, who lives in Howard Beach, is an attorney and public transportation activist. He characterized the 32nd District – which covers Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Ozone Park, Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Richmond Hill, Rockaway Park, Roxbury, South Ozone Park, West Hamilton Beach and Woodhaven – as “an incredibly resilient district and our communities deserve a councilmember who will fight relentlessly for them.”
