City and State’s 2013 Albany Rising Stars: Jessica Bassett

Jessica Bassett was the last person standing in Gov. David Paterson’s press shop. Elevated to acting director of communications in the fall of 2010, she survived to his final day in office, grappling with contentious issues until the end.

“Someone had to take press calls on the last day of government,” Bassett explained.

Bassett’s rise to become the governor’s top spokesperson was meteoric. Soon after graduating from college, she got her first job in politics in her native Plattsburgh: deputy North Country regional representative for Gov. Spitzer. After Spitzer resigned, Bassett became an upstate advance person for Paterson, then moved over to the press office.