WGRZ Anchor/Reporter Pete Gallivan is leaving the Gannett station and getting out of TV News.

Gallivan, who has been at the NBC affiliate for 17 years, is going to work in the communications department in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Buffalo office.

"It all came together really quickly," said Gallivan. Gallivan gave his two-week notice today and was told by station management that today would be his last day because he is going into a political job that might conflict with news reporting.

"I’m 47," Gallivan explained when asked why he was leaving local TV news. "I wasn’t looking for an opportunity and they reached out to me. I thought if I was going to try something new, now was the time to do it."

Gallivan spent years as WGRZ's morning anchor, but was demoted when the station had John Beard took over his morning slot in September of 2009.

H/T Buffalo News