Saratoga County's first ever female district attorney officially declares she's running for re-election. Our Matt Hunter reports.

MALTA, N.Y. – After Thursday afternoon's announcement, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen is officially seeking her second full term.

“I love Saratoga County and my heart really is here,” said Heggen, who kicked off her campgain in her hometown of Malta. “I get to make a difference in some way and some respect every day in the place I call home and the place that is home to so many people that I love and care about.“

First elected in 2014, Heggen was appointed acting DA earlier that year after her then-boss, former DA James Murphy, left to successfully run for county judge. On Thursday, she touted the 95 percent felony conviction rate that's been maintained by her administration.

"I don’t get to do that without the amazing team of men and women who continue to dedicate themselves to seeking justice in our community,” said Heggen, who spent 22 years as an assistant prosecutor in the county before becoming DA.

After running unopposed four years ago, Heggen now faces a Republican primary challenge from local defense attorney Gerard Amedio.

"There's no better experience to being a district attorney than coming from a law enforcement background and now doing criminal defense," Amedio said Thursday afternoon.

The former Colonie police officer maintains that relationships between the DA's office and law enforcement have fractured under Heggen's watch.

"I am still told by law enforcement that they refuse to communicate with her and that she's very condescending," Amedio said.

It is a claim denied by both Heggen and Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo, who was among those who spoke on her behalf Thursday.

"That is his opinion, but I can tell you the last four years, we have had that relationship, and I know other law enforcement has, too,” Zurlo said.

“I don’t have a 95 percent conviction rate in felony cases without the relationship with law enforcement,” Heggen said.

The Saratoga County Republican Committee has yet to formally endorse a candidate. Both Heggen and Amedio say they're confident they'll have its backing come primary day.

"I have five current elected Republican officials on my campaign committee, and that speaks volumes," Amedio said.

"Just as they did four years ago when they endorsed me for my first run, I will work very hard to show and demonstrate to them, and I’m confident that will come again,” Heggen said.