David Axelrod Senior Advisor to US President Barack Obama. Date of Birth: 22.02.1955 Country: USA

Biography of David Axelrod

David Axelrod was born on February 22, 1955, in New York City, into a Jewish middle-class family. His father, Joseph Axelrod, was a psychologist, while his mother, Mirl Axelrod, worked as a journalist and later in the advertising business. Axelrod's parents divorced when he was young, and he lived with his mother and sister Joan. His father, whom he later referred to as his "best friend and hero," tragically died by suicide when Axelrod was nineteen years old.

From a young age, Axelrod showed an interest in politics. At the age of thirteen, he sold campaign buttons for Senator Robert F. Kennedy, who was running for president but was assassinated in June 1968. Axelrod attended the University of Chicago, where he studied political science. While in college, he worked as a political columnist for the Hyde Park Herald.

After graduating from university in 1976, Axelrod had the opportunity to intern at the Chicago Tribune. Following his internship, he was offered a permanent position as a reporter for the newspaper. Axelrod occasionally covered political campaigns of outsider candidates, and in 1979, his articles played a crucial role in the victory of Jane M. Byrne, who became the first female mayor of Chicago. This success boosted Axelrod's career, and he became a political columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

In 1984, Axelrod joined the senatorial campaign of Paul Simon as the head of public relations. Shortly after, he was appointed as one of the leaders of Simon's campaign, which defeated the incumbent Republican senator, Charles Percy. In 1985, Axelrod founded his own political consultancy firm, Axelrod & Associates, now known as AKP&D Message and Media.

During his career, Axelrod worked on various successful campaigns, including the re-election campaign of Chicago's first African American mayor, Harold Washington, and the mayoral campaigns of Richard M. Daley. In 2004, he was part of John Edwards' presidential campaign, and in 2006, he advised Eliot Spitzer and Deval Patrick in their successful gubernatorial campaigns.

Despite considering stepping away from presidential campaigns due to his previous clients, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards, Axelrod ultimately decided to become the chief strategist for Obama's presidential campaign. Axelrod's main focus during the campaign was the message of change, which resonated with voters. Obama's campaign, under Axelrod's guidance, utilized innovative fundraising methods and online platforms to mobilize supporters.

In the 2008 presidential election, Obama won with a decisive victory, receiving more than 51% of the popular vote and over 300 electoral votes. After Obama's inauguration on January 20, 2009, Axelrod became a senior advisor to the President in the White House.

Aside from his political career, Axelrod is also dedicated to raising awareness and funds for epilepsy research. His daughter Lauren suffers from epilepsy, and Axelrod and his wife, Susan Landau, are actively involved in organizations that support epilepsy research.

Overall, David Axelrod's career has been marked by his strategic approach to political campaigns, his ability to connect with voters, and his commitment to promoting change and progress in American politics.