More than a year before citywide elections, races are already shaping up all over Queens and the 32nd Council District (CD32) is no exception.
On Wednesday, January 30 Frank Gulluscio, a Democratic district leader, Community Board 6 district manager and former chief-of-staff to Councilmember Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. announced his candidacy to take his former bosses seat.
Gulluscio, 60, will face Republican district leader Eric A. Ulrich, 22 in a 2009 election, the date of which hinges on a State Senate race this year, pitting Addabbo against 20-year senate veteran Serphin Maltese.
Should Addabbo, who is term-limited out of the Council in 2009, unseat Maltese, a special election would be held next February; should Maltese survive yet another challenge this year, Ulrich and Gulluscio, the presumptive Democratic candidate, will face the voters next November.
Other potential candidates, John Patrick Larkin and Lew M. Simon have been mentioned, but only Gulluscio and Ulrich have filed with the Campaign Finance Board (CFB), a prerequisite to actual candidacy in New York City.
Larkin, 43, is a Rockaway activist and kids’ sports coach. Simon, also a Democratic district leader, lost to Addabbo in the 2001 primary.
Gulluscio, a former schoolteacher and businessman has raised less than $5,000 according to CFB records, compared to nearly $19,000 for Ulrich. He dismisses the disparity in war chests by pointing out that he hasn’t been out campaigning. “Look at me in July,” he said, in reference to the next filing date for contributions.
“I've been 22. I know how 22-year-olds act and walk and talk,” said Gulluscio of the relatively inexperienced Ulrich. “We need someone from Day One who's not going to ask where the bathroom is,” he quipped.
Ulrich, who won his district leader post last September after a narrow defeat two years before, is currently a graduate student at St. John’s University in Flushing. He has expressed confidence that “a [younger] guy like me who can knock on more doors” can prevail.
At its January meeting, the Queens County Republicans gave Ulrich a unanimous endorsement, and pledge of campaign support. “We not going to concede any races,” said Phil Ragusa, county chair.
“Eric is a dynamic young man who will represent his district well in the City Council, and we’re going to give him all the help we can.” Ragusa said.
