Queens Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich announced his candidacy for state Senate today in a bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Sen. Joe Addabbo.
“For the past three years, I have been honored to serve the people of my community at City Hall. I am now ready to take the fight to Albany where I will be an independent voice for the taxpayers of Queens County,” Ulrich said.
Republican sources said it’s a coup to get Ulrich — an up and coming star in the GOP — to challenge Addabbo in the 15th senatorial district. The GOP holds a narrow 32-29 majority over Democrats in the Senate.
Senate GOP officals said they will vastly outspend Democrats to help Ulrich win the seat. Neighborhoods in Ulrich’s council district account for more than one-third of the senate seat.
But Addabbo, viewed as moderate Democrat with popular pull in the district, won re-election by nearly 20 points in 2010. Democrats expected him to cruise to re-election.