Eric Ulrich

Eric Ulrich was born at Jamaica Hospital on February 13, 1985. He grew up in Ozone Park in Queens, graduating from Cathedral Prep. Seminary High School. Ulrich holds a BA from St. Francis College and received his MPA in 2016 from Baruch College, City University of New York.{{cn|date=September 2023}}

In February 2009, during a special election, Ulrich was elected to a seat on the New York City Council, defeating three more senior candidates in the 32nd district in southwest Queens.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2009/02/26/2009-02-26_new_blood_in_32nd_district.html |title=New blood in 32nd District: 24-year-old GOP upstart grabs special election seat |work=New York Daily News |author=Lauinger, John |date=2009-02-26}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/13/nyregion/queens-council-incumbent-once-critic-is-now-criticized.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/E/Elections |title=Queens Council Incumbent, Once Critic, Is Now Criticized |work=The New York Times |author=Jonathan P. Hicks |date=1997-10-13}} Ulrich was re-elected in November 2009,{{cite news |url=http://ny1.com/8-queens-news-content/108383/ny1-online--2009-nyc-general-election-returns |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721013804/http://ny1.com/8-queens-news-content/108383/ny1-online--2009-nyc-general-election-returns |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-21 |title=NY1 Online: 2009 NYC General Election Returns |publisher=NY1.com |date=2009-11-04 }}{{cite web |url=https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/downloads/pdf/results/2009/General/7.28Queens32CouncilRecap.pdf |title=Statement and Return Report for Certification General Election 2009 - 11/03/2009 - Queens County - Member of the City Council - 32nd Council District |website=Vote.NYC |access-date=September 18, 2023}} in 2013,{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2013/11/06/councilman-weathers-catsimatidis-attacks-to-win-re-election/ |title=Councilman weathers Catsimatidis attacks to win re-election |publisher=New York Post |last=Campanile |first=Carl |date=2013-11-06 |access-date=2018-02-27}} and in 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.timesledger.com/stories/2017/45/ulrichscala_2017_11_10_q.html |title=Ulrich re-elected to third term with convincing win over Scala |publisher=Times Ledger |last=Martinez |first=Gina |date=2017-11-09 |access-date=2018-02-27}} He was barred by term limits from seeking re-election in 2021.{{Cite web |url=https://citylimits.org/2021/06/07/five-democrats-look-to-flip-queens-last-gop-council-seat-blue/ |title=Five Democrats Look to Flip Queens' Last GOP Council Seat Blue |last=Brand |first=David |date=June 7, 2021 |website=City Limits}}

Ulrich is a moderate Republican.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/republian-eric-ulrich-mulls-mayoral-run-de-blasio-2017-article-1.2633740 |title=Republican Eric Ulrich mulls 2017 mayoral run against de Blasio |website=New York Daily News |date=May 12, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2017}} Ulrich broke with the New York State Republican Party platform on several issues, and stated that he was proud of his independence. He voted in favor of a minimum wage raise and voted twice to boost rent stabilization.{{cite web |url=http://www.gothamgazette.com:8080/index.php/129-elections/1458-rival-candidates-in-state-senate-race-say-they-wont-toe-party-lines |title=Rival Candidates in State Senate Race Say They Won't Toe Party Lines |publisher=Gothamgazette.com:8080 |access-date=2016-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810221220/http://www.gothamgazette.com:8080/index.php/129-elections/1458-rival-candidates-in-state-senate-race-say-they-wont-toe-party-lines |archive-date=2016-08-10 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://observer.com/2012/05/breaking-ranks-eric-ulrich-endorses-minimum-wage-hike/ |title=Breaking Ranks, Eric Ulrich Endorses Minimum Wage Hike |website=The New York Observer |date=May 22, 2012 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}

Ulrich supported Melissa Mark-Viverito during her run for Council Speaker in 2013, an unpopular position for Republicans. Queens Republican Chair Bob Turner said that supporting Viverito "wouldn't help" Ulrich's standing in Republican circles.{{cite web |url=http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/mayor-eric-ulrich-he-might-go-for-it/article_ff77ad3b-3061-52c4-bbab-c2c0c6a42b38.html |title=Mayor Eric Ulrich? He might go for it |newspaper=Queens Chronicle |last=O'Reilly |first=Anthony |date=February 4, 2016 |access-date=July 28, 2016}} Previously, Ulrich had chided Mark-Viverito for refusing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance with other councilmembers during government functions; Mark-Viverito changed her position on the pledge in 2013 prior to her run for Speaker.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/nyc-council-speaker-wannabe-suddenly-embraces-pledge-article-1.1516272 |title=NYC Council speaker-wannabe suddenly embraces Pledge |website=New York Daily News |date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2013/11/before-her-speaker-run-a-councilwoman-starts-saying-the-pledge-009694 |title=Before her speaker run, a councilwoman starts saying the pledge |first=Sally |last=Goldenberg |date=November 12, 2013 |website=POLITICO}}

Ulrich started a committee with Mark Treyger to monitor the recovery effort following Hurricane Sandy.{{cite web |url=http://observer.com/2014/06/council-members-pushing-for-department-of-investigation-to-monitor-sandy-recovery/ |title=Council Members Pushing for Department of Investigation to Monitor Sandy Recovery |website=The New York Observer |date=June 30, 2014 |access-date=July 28, 2016}} He criticized the speed and efficiency of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Ulrich's constituents resided in parts of the Rockaway Peninsula and Howard Beach which were disproportionately affected by the storm. In public statements, Ulrich called the relief efforts a "bureaucratic nightmare", said the city's chosen contractors were incapable of handling the residents' needs, and recommended the head of the city's Build-it-Back program be fired by the Mayor.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/queens-pol-blasts-de-blasio-broken-build-back-program-article-1.2715730 |title=Queens pol blasts de Blasio over 'broken' Build It Back program |website=New York Daily News |date=July 18, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2017}}

For fiscal year 2015, Ulrich secured a $400,000 allocation to support local veterans' direct services.{{cite web |url=http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/government/5124-city-council-veterans-services-funding-revealed |title=City Council Expands Funding Of Veterans Services |author=Kristen Meriwether |work=Gotham Gazette: The Place for New York Policy and Politics |access-date=March 3, 2015}} He supports the consolidation of the city's three library systems.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/nyregion/different-boroughs-different-library-systems.html |title=Different Boroughs, Different Library Systems |work=The New York Times |date=December 17, 2017 |access-date=February 13, 2020}}

Ulrich served as Chair of the New York City Council's Veterans Committee.{{cite web |url=http://council.nyc.gov/d32/html/members/home.shtml|title=District 32 - Council Member - Republican |work=nyc.gov |access-date=March 3, 2015}} Following her election to Council Speaker (in which she had received support from Ulrich), Melissa Mark-Viverito appointed Ulrich to the Veterans Affairs post.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/23/nyregion/new-speaker-gives-allies-plum-posts-on-council.html |title=New Speaker Gives Her Allies Plum Posts |first=Kate |last=Taylor |work=The New York Times |date=January 23, 2014 |via=NYTimes.com}} Ulrich refuted speculation that his support for Viverito was a quid pro quo for obtaining his Committee Chairmanship, and instead said that supporting her was his best option for bringing her attention to the needs of his constituents.{{Cite web |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/ulrich-wants-trump-s-name-off-pavilion/article_6951d473-699d-5162-959d-15c9db35be80.html |title=Ulrich wants Trump's name off Pavilion |last=O'Reilly |first=Anthony |date=July 23, 2015 |website=Queens Chronicle}}

Following remarks by presidential candidate Donald Trump that John McCain was not a war hero, Ulrich rejected his comments, calling them "a slap in the face to New York City’s veterans and their families, especially those who had been 'captured' as former POWs." Ulrich wrote a letter July 20, 2015, to Jamaica Hospital, urging the Board of Directors to remove Trump's name from the nursing home. The Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation was named after Mary Trump, and was built in 1975 with donations from Donald Trump's parents. The Trump name remains on the Pavilion.{{Cite web |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/remove-donald-trumps-name-from-jamaica-hospital-pavilion-ulrich/article_5e4f1496-2faf-11e5-bdc1-ff93117cb2c0.html |title=Remove Donald Trump's name from Jamaica Hospital Pavilion: Ulrich |last=O'Reilly |first=Anthony |date=July 21, 2015 |website=Queens Chronicle}} Ulrich endorsed John Kasich over Trump during his presidential run in 2016. When Trump became the presumptive nominee, Ulrich said he disliked Trump's offensive comments and speeches, but said he may vote for him should he "come around by [Election Day]".{{Cite web |url=http://www.newyorktrue.com/category/donal-trump/ |title=Donald Trump |website=newyorktrue.com |date=December 30, 2019}}{{better source|date=September 2023}}

In early April 2020, he and Democratic New York City Councilman Robert Holden wrote to Mayor de Blasio asking him to relieve Commissioner of Health of the City of New York Oxiris Barbot of her position "before it’s too late," saying her guidance on the coronavirus had been disastrous.{{cite web |last=Edelman |first=Susan |url=https://nypost.com/2020/04/04/nyc-pols-urge-de-blasio-to-oust-health-commissioner-over-coronavirus-response/ |title=NYC pols urge de Blasio to oust health commissioner over coronavirus response |work=New York Post |date=April 4, 2020 |access-date=April 6, 2020}}

In 2012, Ulrich ran for New York State Senate against incumbent Democratic Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. in Senate district 15. While the Queens Republican Party endorsed Juan D. Reyes in the primary,{{cite news |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/central/queenswide-gop-taps-reyes-for-15th-sd-ulrich-primary-likely/article_1ea23a10-a693-11e1-8fa1-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Queenswide: GOP taps Reyes for 15th SD; Ulrich primary likely |newspaper=Queens Chronicle |last=Gannon |first=Michael |date=May 25, 2012}} Ulrich prevailed nonetheless.{{cite news |url=https://www.timesledger.com/stories/2012/38/ulrichreyes_all_2012_09_13_q.html |title=Ulrich defeats Reyes in GOP primary after campaign turns negative |publisher=Times Ledger |last=Frantz |first=Karen |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2018}} During the campaign, Ulrich criticized Senator Addabbo, who publicly said there was "an understanding" that Resorts World Casino in Queens would hire 70–80% locally from Queens. The Daily News found that 61% of the "top tier" positions were held by employees residing in Queens County.{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/aqueduct-racino-hiring-practices-reveal-odds-hiring-local-upper-management-article-1.1148346 |title=Aqueduct racino's hiring practices for management|website=New York Daily News |date=August 31, 2012 |access-date=July 28, 2016}} On Election Day, Ulrich was defeated by Addabbo.{{cite news |url=https://www.timesledger.com/stories/2012/45/addabboulrich_all_2012_11_08_q.html |title=Addabbo defeats Ulrich in key state Senate race |publisher=Times Ledger |last=Frantz |first=Karen |date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2018}}

Media speculated that Ulrich was a potential challenger to Bill De Blasio in the 2017 mayoral race after his 2013 press conference on an unplowed street in Queens, criticizing the newly elected mayor for his handling of the heavy snowfall. Ulrich launched an exploratory committee on May 12, 2016, but ultimately chose not to run.{{cite web |url=http://www.qchron.com/editions/south/sen-my-focus-is-re-election/article_26cefc7a-ef21-5b88-862d-4bcfe95cd037.html |title=Sen.: My focus is re-election |newspaper=Queens Chronicle |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/first-steps-toward-a-possible-mayoral-run/article_c1d410e0-f282-54fa-ab32-f5a3e23d68bc.html |title=First steps toward a possible mayoral run |newspaper=Queens Chronicle |last=O'Reilly |first=Anthony |date=May 19, 2016 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2016/02/02/gopers-think-this-30-year-old-councilman-can-unseat-de-blasio/ |title=GOPers think this 30-year-old councilman can unseat de Blasio |website=NYPost.com |first=Carl |last=Campanile |date=February 2, 2016 |access-date=July 28, 2016}}

Ulrich ran in the 2019 New York City Public Advocate special election. As the election was nonpartisan, Ulrich ran on the line titled Common Sense. Some of his endorsements included the Bronx GOP, Brooklyn GOP, Manhattan GOP, Queens GOP, and Staten Island GOP, as well as the New York Daily News, which, on February 20, 2019, wrote "Ulrich stands apart on a key issue of the day: He welcomed Amazon coming to Long Island City as the rest of the field was tripping over itself to denounce the deal."{{Cite web |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-edit-public-advocate-20190218-story.html |title=For a real election: To set the stage for a legitimate contest to be the next public advocate, voters should choose Eric Ulrich |last=Daily News Editorial Board |website=nydailynews.com |date=February 20, 2019 |access-date=December 14, 2020}}

In February 2019, New York Post contributor John Podhoretz wrote a column entitled "A Republican with a real chance to win an NYC-wide office,"{{Cite web |url=https://nypost.com/2019/02/13/a-republican-with-a-real-chance-to-win-an-nyc-wide-office/ |title=A Republican with a real chance to win an NYC-wide office |first=John |last=Podhoretz |date=February 14, 2019 |access-date=December 14, 2020}} which was featured in the New York Post. Podhoretz's column cited private polling that showed Ulrich leading the field with 22 percent of the vote, giving him “a real shot at winning” the special election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/19/nyregion/amazon-public-advocate-election-eric-ulrich.html |title=Can a Republican Win a Citywide Race in N.Y.? Maybe, With Amazon's Help |first1=Jeffery C. |last1=Mays |first2=William |last2=Neuman |work=The New York Times |date=February 19, 2019 |via=NYTimes.com}} However, Ulrich finished second in the special election with 19% of the vote; Jumaane Williams won the race with 33%.{{cite web |url=https://www.gothamgazette.com/opinion/8337-the-aftermath-of-the-public-advocate-race |title=The Aftermath of the Public Advocate Race |website=Gotham Gazette |last1=Valentin |first1=Eli |date=March 8, 2019 |access-date=August 11, 2023}}

On January 5, 2022, Ulrich was named as Senior Advisor to the Mayor by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.{{cite web |url=https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/003-22/mayor-adams-members-his-senior-team |title=Mayor Adams Announces Members of his Senior Team |date=January 5, 2022 |website=www1.nyc.go |access-date=January 5, 2022 |quote=Eric Ulrich joins the Adams administration as senior advisor to the mayor.}} On May 3, 2022, Ulrich was appointed as commissioner of the NYC Department of Buildings.{{Cite web |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/ulrich-named-as-buildings-commissioner/article_1c29bf00-cb23-11ec-acd5-a3bd69ec59d3.html |title=Ulrich named as buildings commissioner |first=Deirdre |last=Bardolf |date=May 3, 2022 |website=Queens Chronicle}} On November 3, 2022, Ulrich resigned from his position as commissioner of the Buildings Department.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/03/nyregion/eric-ulrich-resigns-gambling.html |title=N.Y.C. Buildings Chief Resigns as Prosecutors Examine Gambling Ties |first1=William K. |last1=Rashbaum |first2=Jeffery C. |last2=Mays |first3=Jonah E. |last3=Bromwich |work=The New York Times |date=November 3, 2022 |via=NYTimes.com}}

On November 1, 2022, investigators working for the Manhattan district attorney seized Ulrich's phone pursuant to a search warrant.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/01/nyregion/eric-ulrich-gambling-investigation.html |title=N.Y.C. Buildings Commissioner's Phone Seized in Criminal Gambling Probe |first1=William K. |last1=Rashbaum |first2=Jonah E. |last2=Bromwich |first3=Jeffery C. |last3=Mays |work=The New York Times |date=November 1, 2022 |via=NYTimes.com}}

On August 3, 2023, the New York Daily News reported that Ulrich had been charged, in a sealed indictment, on corruption charges.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-eric-ulrich-charged-city-buildings-commissioner-nyc-alvin-bragg-20230804-kvsg6e4fkvaszf5chlpe3lsfvu-story.html |title=Eric Ulrich, former NYC Buildings Commissioner, charged with corruption by DA Alvin Bragg |website=nydailynews.com |access-date=August 3, 2023}}

On September 13, 2023, Ulrich was arrested on 16 felony corruption charges; he pleaded not guilty.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ex-nyc-buildings-commissioner-accused-of-trading-favors-for-cash-mets-tickets/4675525/ |title=Ex-NYC buildings commissioner accused of trading favors for cash, Mets tickets |first=Jake |last=Offenhartz |work=NBC New York |date=September 13, 2023}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/nyregion/eric-ulrich-surrender-bribery.html |title=Former Buildings Chief Accused of Trading Favors for $150,000 in Bribes |first1=Jonah E. |last1=Bromwich |first2=William K. |last2=Rashbaum |work=The New York Times |date=September 13, 2023 |via=NYTimes.com}} He resigned in the midst of the investigations into the Eric Adams administration.

Ulrich married Yadira Moran on November 20, 2009.{{Cite web |url=https://qns.com/2009/11/councilmember-takes-a-bride/ |title=Councilmember takes a bride |date=November 24, 2009 |website=qns.com}} Eric and Yadira Ulrich had a daughter in 2012.{{Cite web |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/south/welcome-baby-ulrich/article_05a43552-152e-5d13-88e6-d9c46a184e2c.html |title=Welcome Baby Ulrich |date=November 1, 2012 |website=Queens Chronicle}}

As of September 2023, Ulrich is reportedly dating Rhonda Binda, an employee of Mayor Eric Adams's administration.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/09/16/eric-ulrich-girlfriend-referenced-in-his-bribery-indictment-is-director-of-mayor-adams-official-residence/ |title=Eric Ulrich girlfriend referenced in his bribery indictment is director of Mayor Adams' official residence |newspaper=New York Daily News |last=Sommerfeldt |first=Chris |date=September 16, 2023}}

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• [http://council.nyc.gov/d32/html/members/home.shtml NYC Council: District 32 - Eric Ulrich]

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{{s-bef|before=Joseph Addabbo Jr.}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the New York City Council
from the 32nd district|years=2009–2021}}

{{s-aft|after=Joann Ariola}}

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{{Eric Adams cabinet}}

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Category:1985 births

Category:American political scientists

Category:Schoolteachers from New York (state)

Category:Living people

Category:American people of German descent

Category:Commissioners in New York City

Category:New York City Council members

Category:New York (state) Republicans

Category:People from Rockaway, Queens

Category:Politicians from Queens, New York

Category:St. Francis College alumni

Category:21st-century New York (state) politicians

Category:People from Ozone Park, Queens