Binghamton City Republican Committee Chairman Resigns

Edward Hickey has quit as the chairman of the Binghamton City Republican Committee.

The West Side businessman has notified Broome County Republican Chairman Bijoy Datta of his resignation.

Hickey said he became active in the Republican party about six years ago "because I love this town and wanted to fight for it." He sought the Republican nomination for mayor in 2013.

Hickey expressed concern about the recent contentious campaign for the party's nomination for Broome County District Attorney.

Hickey said he didn't believe members of the county Republican committee should have been involved before the primary. He said he believed the voice of county voters "would be drowned out" by all of the "noise" generated during the race between Paul Battisti and Michael Korchak.

Datta said while he personally backed Battisti in the primary, no county party resources were used to support either candidate.

Binghamton City Councilman Giovanni Scaringi is the interim chairman of the city Republican party. He said an election to select a permanent Binghamton committee chair will be held on August 26.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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