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Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen announced her retirement on Wednesday (June 25) during a news conference in Ballston Spa. Heggen, who has served as the county's top prosecutor for over a decade, will officially step down on August 1. She was the first woman elected as district attorney in Saratoga County.
Heggen expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve her community, saying, "I have been blessed to be able to do the work I love in my home community and surrounded by our families and friends." She emphasized her pride in the work accomplished by her office and expressed confidence in its future.
According to the Times Union, Heggen's decision to retire before August 5 means a special election will be held in November to fill her position. Had she waited until after that date, New York Governor Kathy Hochul could have appointed a replacement.
Potential candidates for the role include First Assistant District Attorney Alan M. Poremba, who will serve as interim DA, and Brett Eby, a principal court attorney for state Supreme Court Justice Paul E. Davenport. Eby announced his candidacy shortly after Heggen's retirement announcement, stating he was "strongly encouraged" by colleagues to run for the position.
Heggen, a Malta native, has been with the Saratoga County District Attorney's office for 32 years. She succeeded James A. Murphy III when he became a county court judge in 2014. Throughout her career, Heggen has been known for her dedication to justice and her ability to balance the interests of crime victims, public safety, and defendants.