Eric Ulrich

Eric Ulrich (born February 13, 1985) is an American politician from the state of New York. A Republican, Ulrich represented the 32nd district on the New York City Council from 2009 to 2021. In 2022, he served as New York City Buildings Commissioner and as senior advisor to Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams. On September 13, 2023, Ulrich was arrested on 16 felony corruption charges; he pleaded not guilty.
Early life and education
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.
Career
New York City Council
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. Ulrich was re-elected in November 2009, in 2013, and in 2017. He was barred by term limits from seeking re-election in 2021.
Ulrich is a moderate Republican. 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.
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. 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.
Ulrich started a committee with Mark Treyger to monitor the recovery effort following Hurricane Sandy. 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.
For fiscal year 2015, Ulrich secured a $400,000 allocation to support local veterans' direct services. He supports the consolidation of the city's three library systems.
Chair of New York Council Veterans Committee
Ulrich served as Chair of the New York City Council's Veterans Committee. Following her election to Council Speaker (in which she had received support from Ulrich), Melissa Mark-Viverito appointed Ulrich to the Veterans Affairs post. 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.
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. 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]".
Coronavirus; Oxiris Barbot
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.
Other political campaigns
2012 State Senate election
In 2012, Ulrich ran for New York State Senate against incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Addabbo in Senate District 15. While the Queens Republican Party endorsed Juan D. Reyes in the primary, Ulrich prevailed nonetheless. During the campaign, Ulrich criticized Sen. 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. On Election Day, Ulrich was defeated by Addabbo.
Potential run for Mayor of New York City, 2017
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.
2019 New York City Public Advocate special election
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."
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," 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. However, Ulrich finished second in the special election with 19% of the vote; Jumaane Williams won the race with 33%.
New York City Buildings Commissioner/senior advisor to Eric Adams
On January 5, 2022 Ulrich was named as Senior Advisor to the Mayor by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. On May 3, 2022, Ulrich was appointed as commissioner of the NYC Department of Buildings. On November 3, 2022, Ulrich resigned from his position as commissioner of the Buildings Department.
Legal troubles
On November 1, 2022, investigators working for the Manhattan district attorney seized Ulrich's phone pursuant to a search warrant.
On August 3, 2023, the New York Daily News reported that Ulrich had been charged, in a sealed indictment, on corruption charges.
On September 13, 2023, Ulrich was arrested on 16 felony corruption charges; he pleaded not guilty.
Personal life
Ulrich married Yadira Moran on November 20, 2009. Eric and Yadira Ulrich had a daughter in 2012.
As of September 2023, Ulrich is reportedly dating Rhonda Binda, an employee of Mayor Eric Adams's administration.
Electoral history
References
External links
NYC Council: District 32 - Eric Ulrich
1985 births
American political scientists
Schoolteachers from New York (state)
Living people
American people of German descent
Commissioners in New York City
New York City Council members
New York (state) Republicans
Public officeholders of Rockaway, Queens
St. Francis College alumni
21st-century American politicians
People from Ozone Park, Queens