David Axelrod

David Axelrod is a preeminent American political strategist and commentator and the former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Axelrod was the founding director of the University of Chicago's non-partisan Institute of Politics and now serves as a senior fellow at the IOP. 

He is the host of “The Axe Files,” a top-rated podcast featuring in-depth conversations with public figures across the political spectrum. A televised version of the show airs monthly on CNN. A former political writer for the Chicago Tribune, Axelrod produced media strategy and advertising for 150 campaigns across the U.S., culminating in President Obama’s historic elections. Axelrod is also the author of The New York Times best-selling memoir, Believer: My Forty Years in Politics.

Axelrod Stories

U.S. in ‘better place in the world’ than two years ago, secretary of state says

At Institute of Politics event, Antony Blinken discusses global partnership, Ukraine and human rights

How UChicago students can get involved in the 2020 election

Institute of Politics organizes voter registration efforts, hosts virtual events