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Elizabeth Shaffer Shaffer started working in Sen. Jim Alesi’s office in Fairport as a legislative aide in the spring of 2010 and was named press secretary there in January of this year. Here, she talks about her long-standing passion for politics.
Age: 23
Hometown: Honeoye Falls
Family: Parents Lauren and David, siblings Matthew, 24, and Andrea, 19
Education: Bachelor’s degree in government from St. Lawrence University
Hobbies/interests: Equestrian sports, country music
Occupation: Press Secretary for Sen. Jim Alesi
Have you always been interested in the way government works?
While I have always had a certain level of curiosity toward the inner-workings of government, my decision to pursue the field came halfway through my college career when I decided to change my major from biology to government. I then spent a semester at American University in Washington, DC studying American Politics and interning for the Republican National Committee in the New Media Division. Having had the opportunity to work at both the Federal and State level has been an invaluable experience.
Describe what it’s like going to Albany and watching the Senate get to work.
Being able to watch the senators on the Senate Chamber floor during Session is really quite exciting. It is a bit like being on the cutting room floor – seeing everything first-hand, as it happens. When I am not in Albany in meetings or Session, I can watch Session live on the computers in the District. The State Capitol is such an historic building that adds to the overall experience.
What are you looking forward to most this year, either personally or professionally, or both?
A new Legislative Session is always something to look forward to. This session, I am especially looking forward to expanding Senator Alesi’s social media outlets while enhancing traditional and online correspondence and e-mail communications with residents in the 55th Senate District. I am excited to partner with local media, municipalities and organizations to keep residents informed of the important work being done on their behalf.
Elizabeth Shaffer Shaffer started working in Sen. Jim Alesi’s office in Fairport as a legislative aide in the spring of 2010 and was named press secretary there in January of this year. Here, she talks about her long-standing passion for politics.
Age: 23
Hometown: Honeoye Falls
Family: Parents Lauren and David, siblings Matthew, 24, and Andrea, 19
Education: Bachelor’s degree in government from St. Lawrence University
Hobbies/interests: Equestrian sports, country music
Occupation: Press Secretary for Sen. Jim Alesi
Have you always been interested in the way government works?
While I have always had a certain level of curiosity toward the inner-workings of government, my decision to pursue the field came halfway through my college career when I decided to change my major from biology to government. I then spent a semester at American University in Washington, DC studying American Politics and interning for the Republican National Committee in the New Media Division. Having had the opportunity to work at both the Federal and State level has been an invaluable experience.
Describe what it’s like going to Albany and watching the Senate get to work.
Being able to watch the senators on the Senate Chamber floor during Session is really quite exciting. It is a bit like being on the cutting room floor – seeing everything first-hand, as it happens. When I am not in Albany in meetings or Session, I can watch Session live on the computers in the District. The State Capitol is such an historic building that adds to the overall experience.
What are you looking forward to most this year, either personally or professionally, or both?
A new Legislative Session is always something to look forward to. This session, I am especially looking forward to expanding Senator Alesi’s social media outlets while enhancing traditional and online correspondence and e-mail communications with residents in the 55th Senate District. I am excited to partner with local media, municipalities and organizations to keep residents informed of the important work being done on their behalf.
