With a heavy but resolute heart, I write to confirm that I will not be seeking re-election as state’s attorney for Addison County. The last three and a half years have been the most challenging and rewarding of my 30-year career as an attorney, litigator and advocate. The brightest points being when our office has been able to obtain justice for victims — especially in cases of domestic and sexual violence.

I have also genuinely enjoyed getting to know the wonderful and hardworking members of law enforcement whose dedication and commitment to public service is truly an inspiration. I hope that police officers around the county know that they can continue to rely on the support of the Addison State’s Attorney’s Office, always. This expression of respect and gratitude also extends to the members of the Department for Children and Families who work tirelessly to support families in need and strive to ensure that the children of Addison County are safe and well cared for.

The lowest points of my experience with the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs has been the decimation of my office. When Dennis Wygmans was state’s attorney, he had a full complement of seven staff members, including three deputy state’s attorneys. Today, the office has one deputy SA, one victim advocate and one administrative secretary — for a total of four staff members.

Despite under staffing, our office has continued to maintain an efficient and productive pace with an average clearance rate of 104% in the last 12 months. In June 2026, Addison County’s clearance rate was ranked second-highest in the state. In the last year, we filed an average of 41 new criminal cases per month. As of June 1, 2026, there were a total of 296 criminal (felony and misdemeanor) cases pending. In addition to the criminal cases, our office is responsible for prosecuting juvenile delinquency and petitions for children in need of services (CHINS) — which there are countless dockets and daily emergencies.

As my term comes to a close, I look forward to exciting new opportunities in the future. The decision to step aside from public office is a complicated one. The current staff at the SAO (Carol Volk and Rick Nolan) are at the top of my mind. I hope that the new state’s attorney will value their extraordinary skills and experience and hold them in the high regard that they deserve.

I am excited to hear that Peter Bevere has thrown his hat in the ring. If elected, I hope that Peter chooses to continue the DUI and DLS Diversion programs that I have developed with the Addison County Restorative Justice Service. I also hope that he continues my policies of taking immigration (and other collateral) consequences into account when making charging and sentencing decisions.

Finally, I wish to thank the people of Addison County for giving me the opportunity to serve. It has been a tremendous experience that I have cherished. For the State’s Attorney’s Office going forward, I hope that the office remains open to kindness and understanding — concepts that are indispensable in a fair and rational system of justice.

Eva Vekos
Middlebury

Editor’s note: Vekos explains that the clearance rate is the ratio between how many cases filed verses closed in any given time period, so when more cases are closed than filed that means the backlog of cases (from the pandemic, for instance) is getting cleared up and the rate is above 100%.