Eric Ulrich Calls On Catsimatidis To Drop Out of Mayoral Race

An enraged Eric Ulrich, an outspoken critic of the Queens County GOP leadership, seized on the allegations to step up his attacks on Tabone, the borough’s party committee vice chair, as well as Queens GOP chair Phil Ragusa and John Catsimatidis, according to City and State NY. 

“As far as Tabone and the county is concerned, this confirms what I’ve known all along: These are some of the most corrupt political hacks in all of New York City,” Ulrich said. “They have no place in politics, and as an elected official I have an obligation, a sworn duty, to root out corruption anywhere it rears its ugly head, in government, in a city agency and even in a political party, especially when it happens to be my own party.” 

Ulrich suggested that Catsimatidis should also end his campaign for mayor, citing the candidate’s ties to the Queens GOP and the fact that he didn’t suspend Tabone earlier when he first became aware of the investigation. 

“He has enabled them, he has financed their lawsuits, he has given them money, he has been funding their whole racketeering organization,” Ulrich said. “Catsimatidis wants to run as a Republican for mayor? I don’t think he should be running any more.” 

The Catsimatidis campaign dismissed the councilman’s statement as political posturing while hinting that the allegations would rather have more of an impact on Joe Lhota, who was publicly supported by Ulrich as well as Halloran and Savino. 

“This is partisan politics at its worst,” said Rob Ryan, a senior adviser to the Catsimatidis campaign. “Perhaps Councilman Ulrich should be more concerned about his fellow Queens councilman who was indicted today and the effect it will have on the campaign he is supporting for mayor.”

Earlier this month, Ulrich already suggested Catsimatidis to drop out of the race and support Joe lhota. "He’s a buffoon -- and he will never get elected mayor in New York," said Ulrich, at a presser endorsing Lhota on the steps of city hall.. "The people who are telling him he can get elected are all on his payroll, and he needs to get out of the race -- ASAP," Ulrich told Celeste Katz.  "If [Catsimatidis] cares about the future of New York City and if he’s a true Republican like he says -- and not a 'Clinton Democrat' -- [he] should support the only guy who really has a shot [in November], and that’s Joe Lhota.

Former congressman Bob Turner, who was suggested by Ulrich to lead the Queens GOP, told City and State NY that he did not expect the charges against Halloran, Savino and Tabone to hurt the chances of any of the Republican candidates for mayor. 

 “I don’t think this will have an impact on the mayoral campaign,” he said. “I think that there are a fine slate of candidates and everyone is fairly removed from these grubby, horrible allegations. I hope we have enough time to restore credibility and trust between now and the elections.”