The race to fill the 32nd City Council district seat is getting heated, especially now that a second contender has officially declared his candidacy.Democratic District Leader Frank Gulluscio announced the news Jan. 30 at the South Queens Democratic Club, where he received an “enthusiastic endorsement,” he said.
The 60-year-old grandfather of two, who has served as the district leader for more than a decade, is up against 22-year-old Eric Ulrich, the Republican district leader and a recent college graduate.
Each wants to fill the seat currently held by Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), who is term-limited as of 2009 and expected to challenge state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale).
Gulluscio is confident he will prevail in this race for one simple reason: he’s got experience.
The former teacher first delved into the world of City Council politics about five years ago when he joined Addabbo’s staff as his director of education. Any educational concerns that constituents in the district brought before Addabbo’s office were directed to Gulluscio, who would then work with the administrators, teachers, unions and parents to rectify them.
Following his stint with Addabbo, Gulluscio became the district manager for Community Board 6, where he has been working for more than two years. He believes these experiences have prepared him well.
“I’m actually doing what the City Council does now at my job as district manager,” Gulluscio said. “We do all the services that the people require, just like the City Council, and the only thing we don’t do is make the laws.”
His background in local civic and political life has generated for Gulluscio strong ties with community leaders, he said. The Howard Beach resident has already garnered support from Addabbo and various others who have begun making donations.
The focus of Gulluscio’s campaign is to serve the community by addressing “kitchen table issues” and showing residents that he can relate to their concerns and lifestyles.
“I understand our schools, I understand business, I understand government,” Gulluscio said. More importantly, I understand, firsthand, what it means to be a middle-class resident of this city struggling to earn a living and raise a family successfully.”
As of Jan. 29 Gulluscio had raised $4,575 and Ulrich had raised $18,565.
