David Axelrod — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Chief strategist for Barack Obama during his 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns.
Served as Senior Advisor to President Obama during his first term.
Host of 'The Axe Files' podcast.
Senior Political Commentator on CNN since 2015.
Director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics from 2012 until 2023.
Began his career as a political reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Formed a political consultancy firm.

Biography

David M. Axelrod, born February 22, 1955, is an American political consultant and analyst. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the chief strategist to Barack Obama during his 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns. During Obama's first term, Axelrod worked in the White House as the senior advisor to the president.

Axelrod started his career as a political reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He subsequently helped lead Paul Simon's successful 1984 bid for the U.S. Senate in Illinois.