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Eric Ulrich, a Republican district leader, and Julissa Ferreras, a former Democratic political aide, dominated a crowded field of opponents to secure victory in Queens’ two New York City Council special election races on Tuesday.

Ulrich received 3,329 votes, gliding past opponents Geraldine Chapey, Lew Simon and Mike Ricatto with 45 percent of the 32nd Council District vote to replace now-State Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach).

Ferreras secured 2,216 votes to also easily defeat opponents Francisco Moya, George Dixon, and Eduardo Giraldo with 45 percent of the 21st District’s vote to replace her former boss State Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-Corona).

Ulrich broke away from the pack after Chapey used legal challenges to eliminate former front-runner Frank Gulluscio, a former Addabbo aide and the seat’s heir apparent. The move created a popular backlash against Chapey during the race’s final debate, with many voters gravitating towards Ulrich.

“The people of the 32nd District said they wanted new leadership,” Ulrich said after claiming victory in the race. “And that’s exactly what I intend to provide as their Councilman. The voters said they’re tired of politics as usual, and I ran a positive, issue-based campaign, focusing on the needs of the residents of these communities, and the people responded to that.”

And in a race where many of the candidates simply cried fire, the 24-year-old Republican from Ozone Park overcame concerns about his age by charming voters with substantive solutions to some of the City’s most pressing problems.

Like his competitors, Ulrich called on lawmakers to do more with less and make government more efficient in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis. But Ulrich went a step further, presenting a clear agenda with some creative solutions.

He promised to promote efforts to restore the commuter tax, which brought $500 million to the City annually and said he would defend and enhance critical services that affect the quality of life in his district, including law enforcement, senior centers, schools and infrastructure.

Ulrich proposed funding neighborhood watch organizations as a way to enhance law enforcement efforts with fewer cops and less resources.

He also proposed expanding other creative but effective community-based law enforcement initiatives, citing the success of programs working with community groups, like churches, as intermediaries where people with illegal guns can surrender their weapons, without fear of retribution, in exchange for a small stipend.

“Citywide I think they’ve taken out 3,000 guns off the streets – I think it’s a great idea. Especially in economic times like this,” Ulrich said. “If you have an illegal weapon and your job doesn’t pay well and the economy stinks – you know what, if the pastor or the minister said that if you turn in that gun he’ll give you $300 or $400 – I think it’s a very effective tool.”

Ferreras took a more conventional route to victory, securing early support from Democratic leaders and powerful unions.

“Julissa Ferreras will be a force for New York’s working families in the City Council,” said Jose Schiffino, a member of the Queens Chapter of the Working Families Party. “We endorsed Ferreras because of her tireless work fighting for responsible development and better schools, and we’re proud to have helped put her over the top.”

Ferreras and Ulrich will be sworn into office once New York City Board of Elections officials complete the verification process in the coming weeks.