Broome County Republican Committee Chairman Bijoy Datta will resign his role next month after 10 years.
Datta said he’s stepping down from the voluntary post to spend more time with his family and allow change within the county committee.
He touted what he views as a fair amount of success for Broome County Republicans since he took over as chairman in 2013. Datta described that decade as one of change for Republicans with the Tea Party movement and election of President Donald Trump, as well as local shifts like the ouster of state Senator Tom Libous in 2015.
"Over the last decade, we've elected Fred Akshar, Rich David, Jared Kraham, Dan Reynolds and many members of the county Legislature and many other local officials that hadn't been in office before," Datta told WSKG. "Kind of playing a role, spearheading a new generation of leaders coming into power is another piece that I'm very proud of."
Datta said he thinks Republicans have maintained a strong party in Broome County by focusing less on what he described as divisive national politics and vitriol by former President Donald Trump and more on local issues.
"I always kept the focus to our local races and tried not to get our local party embroiled in whatever happened to be going on at the national level,” Datta said. “Our focus really has always been about what's happening in Broome County and the Southern Tier and upstate New York. We've very consistently stayed on message with that and I think the voters have appreciated that and that's why our candidates consistently win."
Upon his resignation early next month, the county Republican committee will vote to elect a new chairperson.
Datta said he doesn’t want to weigh in or name a successor to the role, but still thinks it’s wise that the party continue to focus locally to avoid divisiveness.
“I certainly wouldn't sit here today and dictate any sort of vision or agenda on whoever takes the role next,” Datta said. “I mean, that's really their decision to make, but certainly I think keeping things local and keeping the focus local has proven to be a successful route to take and if they want to carry on that, I think it would be smart."
Datta said he will continue his involvement with politics locally on a volunteer basis. He also said he’ll continue his full time job as a political consultant.
