Suzy Vazquez
Deputy Press Secretary
Sen. Cory Booker
Want to meet a Deputy Press Secretary who interviewed while on a backpacking trip?
Oh, you should talk to Suzy Vazquez!
Suzy’s start on the Hill is quite the story! After cold-applying to her first position, she said “yes” to the interview while on an unair-conditioned bus in the middle of Costa Rica during a backpacking trip. She was staying in a hostel with zero interview-ready outfits, spotty-at-best Wi-Fi, and only two hours of prep time. Somehow, she made it work! Now, she’s the Deputy Press Secretary for Senator Cory Booker.
“I think this story is a great example of when something is right for you, it is right for you. There are zero circumstances that will keep you from it,” Suzy says.
This story is just one of many from Suzy’s travel adventures. After graduating college, she also went to teach English in Valencia, Spain. Next up on her travel wishlist are locations like Australia, Argentina, and Thailand.
Shifting our focus back to D.C., Suzy is proud to be a member of Senator Booker’s communications team. We interviewed her before the Senator's record-breaking speech on the Senate floor, but her review of him still holds true!
“[Senator Booker] is an amazing speaker and storyteller, and also has such a unique and fun social media presence. His character and kindness trickles down and is reflected throughout our entire team,” Suzy shares.
It’s not just anyone who can land a Hill job from a Costa Rica hostel! If you’re looking to meet someone with both fresh comms insights and more travel stories, you should talk to Suzy!
⬇️ Keep reading ⬇️
Her Backstory
🏠 Hometown: Cypress, TX
🎓 College & Major: Northwestern University, Journalism & Political Science
💭 Favorite Hill Memory: "Seeing Senator Booker break the record for longest Senate floor speech. Everyone in our office sat together in the gallery for the final hour and we all cried watching him make history. Being part of the Booker team is so special and something I will never take for granted."
What are her long-term career goals?
“I have no idea! But I’m 25 and I’m sure whatever is in store is probably better than anything I could imagine or think up right now. I feel like every year of my life gets better and my opportunities expand so it’s hard to know where I’ll end up. I would love to write a book one day though.”
🔗 CNCT with Suzy about…
Soulcycle
Backpacking stories 🎒
D.C. restaurant recs
What to read next 📚
❤️ Suzy’s Favorites
Coffee Spot: Emissary
Bar: Doyle Bar
Happy Hour: Rogue Answer - Walters Sports Bar
Lunch Spot: Dupont Market on 18th Street
TV Show: Gilmore Girls
Movie: Almost Famous
Suzy on Staffer Struggles
When thinking about some of the challenges she’s encountered as a staffer, Suzy thinks back to her Hill start…
“I think it can be a very overwhelming place when you first start … The best thing you can do starting out is meet as many people as you can. Making friends in my office and with the other Press Assistants helped me the most with feeling more at home here,” Suzy says.
📚 Suzy’s Reading List
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
Do you know someone on the Hill who should be our Staffer Spotlight for a week? Nominate them here and let us hear their story!
Staffer Advice
“Everything works out the way it’s supposed to and timing is everything. Rejection is always redirection. Everyone’s timeline is different and being a good and kind person should be the top priority. None of the other stuff really matters at the end of the day if you’re not happy with who you are inside.”
- Suzy Vazquez