The Queens Republican Party is looking to expand into Forest Hills, an area historically dominated by Democrats and a rival GOP faction.
The new American Eagle Republican Club of Forest Hills is hosting its first meeting Tuesday night at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.
The move is part of a larger plan for the party to branch out beyond its tradition base in northeastern Queens.
“After the [Bob\\] Turner victory, Forest Hills jumped to the top of the list,” said Robert Hornak, a spokesman for the Queens GOP.
Republicans were energized by Turner’s win of the 9th Congressional District seat long held by former Rep. Anthony Weiner.
Party officials said they are hoping that success translates into momentum for other Republican candidates in upcoming state and citywide elections.
“We have been hearing about a more conservative mindset in the neighborhood,” said Hornak. “New immigrants have been coming in with a more conservative outlook and philosophy.”
But Democrats aren’t the only stumbling blocks for GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa and his supporters. A rival Queens Republican faction headed by brothers Bart and John Haggerty has long been based in Forest Hills.
That faction also has the support of former City Councilman Thomas Ognibene, who recently challenged Ragusa for the party leadership, and of Councilman Eric Ulrich from southern Queens.
One of the driving forces behind the new club is Juan Reyes, a Forest Hills-raised lawyer who was on the short-list to run for Weiner’s seat.
“Some of these organizations are like clubhouses. I want this to be a benefit to the neighborhood,” said Reyes, who plans to bring in speakers to educate small business owners and address other community issues. “There seems to be a void and I think a lot of people would be interested.”
News of the fledgling club brought a strong response from Bart Haggerty, a Republican State Committeeman in the 28th District, who said Reyes has been “virtually absent” for more than a decade.
“As he well knows there has been an active Republican Club in Forest Hills, in the Forest Park Republican Club, for the last 12 years, which has run candidates for office at all levels of government,” said Haggerty. “We welcome him to join the club again.
Reyes responded that he “looks forward to working with everyone.”
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