Photo Courtesy of Emil Cohen/NY City Council
City Councilman Eric Ulrich
By Michael V. Cusenza
The crowded, yet listless public advocate race recently received a much-needed, albeit strange shot in the arm when one GOP candidate took to Twitter to toss mud on another’s resumé.
Responding last week to a tweet posted in December by the Kings County Republican Committee in which the organization announced that it is endorsing City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) for public advocate, attorney Manny Alicandro wrote: “I don’t need party endorsements to take on @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio and City Hall. I will be the only independent voice to stand up to City Hall. I am also the most qualified and best educated to take the fight to City Hall. Sorry but this CUNY graduate isn’t ready for this job.”
Ulrich earned a master’s degree in public administration in 2016 from CUNY’s Baruch College.
Alicandro, whose Twitter bio notes that he is an “MIT-educated entrepreneur,” was roundly roasted on the social media platform.
“Mocking someone for graduating from CUNY would seem like a weird way to appeal to voters in New York City,” wrote Daily News City Hall Bureau Chief Jill Jorgensen.
Alicandro attempted to clarify his comment.“CUNY is a tremendous academic institution. I made a comment about the biography of a candidate and it was taken out of context…” he tweeted.
The political veteran Ulrich seemed to take it in stride.
“I am a proud @CUNY grad and @baruchalumni … anyone who thinks that’s a bad thing can go fly a kite!”
