Datta Leaving Post Of Broome Deputy County Executive

One of Broome County's two deputy county executives is about to leaving the post.

Bijoy Datta plans to depart from county government to become deputy campaign manager for Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, the Republican candidate for governor.

The move was announced by Broome County Executive Debra Preston in a statement released this morning.

Datta has been deputy county executive since 2012. Preston thanked him for "all his hard work for the people of Broome County."

In the statement released by the county executive's office, Datta said the decision to leave the Preston administration was "very difficult." But, he said, he was presented with a "tremendous opportunity to work for Rob Astorino that I just couldn't pass up."

Datta's final day as deputy county executive is to be Sunday, May 25.

Astorino described Datta as "extraordinarily impressive." Astorino told WNBF News that Datta "has been one of my top supporters since day one." The gubernatorial candidate said Datta "is going to be a fantastic deputy campaign manager. I'm looking forward to working with him."

Preston's statement indicated she and the other deputy county executive, John Bernardo, will discuss filling the open position in the coming weeks.