Ishaan Srivastava is a political journalist, digital strategist, and grassroots organizer dedicated to strengthening American democracy and modernizing how political communication operates in the 21st century. His work spans long-form journalism, social media infrastructure, electoral organizing, and coalition building — all rooted in a belief that politics should be accessible, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves. He represents a new generation of civic leaders who understand that the future of democracy will be shaped not only in legislatures and campaigns, but also in digital spaces and local communities.

Ishaan’s commitment to public dialogue began long before he entered the political arena professionally.

As a nationally competitive high school debater, he was ranked multiple times at the state and national levels, competing against some of the strongest programs in the country. Debate sharpened his ability to analyze policy, dissect arguments, and communicate clearly under pressure.

He later served as captain of a 60+ member debate team, where he trained dozens of students in research, speechwriting, and strategic argumentation. Under his leadership, the program emphasized mentorship and skill development, equipping younger students with the confidence to speak publicly and advocate effectively.

That foundation in disciplined communication continues to shape his work today — whether moderating interviews, breaking down complex legislation, or mobilizing voters around high-stakes elections.

In 2021, Ishaan launched The Ishaan S. Show with a clear mission: to create a space where politics could be discussed honestly, rigorously, and without unnecessary sensationalism.

Since its founding, he has produced more than 130 episodes and interviewed over 60 candidates and public officials from across the country. His guests have ranged from local city council candidates to U.S. Senate contenders, reflecting his belief that every level of government matters.

Over multiple election cycles, Ishaan has covered state legislative races in Illinois, battleground contests in Wisconsin, and national elections that have shaped the direction of the country. His reporting has addressed some of the defining political moments of our time — from contentious primary elections to institutional battles that test the resilience of American democracy.

Most notably, in January of 2026, Ishaan organized and moderated a Congressional primary Debate for Illinois's 8th Congressional District. Through his capacity as host of The Ishaan S. Show, Ishaan built a coalition of 12 partnering organizations, and venue sponsors to create a program that received attention from numerous stakeholders. The debate was attended by 300+ voters, and garnered thousands of viewers online.

He approaches interviews with preparation and depth, prioritizing policy substance over soundbites. His goal is not just to platform candidates, but to ask the questions voters are asking and provide clarity on where leaders stand.

In addition to the show, Ishaan launched his Substack newsletter, where he writes regularly about the world of politics. His weekly “Story of the Week” edition provides structured analysis of the most consequential political developments, offering readers context, background, and insight beyond headline-level coverage. Through this platform, he delivers consistent, thoughtful commentary designed to cut through noise and provide strategic understanding of where politics is heading.

Ishaan’s work extends beyond traditional journalism into the rapidly evolving world of digital political communication.

Across TikTok and Instagram, he has garnered millions of views by covering breaking news, analyzing major political events, and highlighting stories that are often overlooked by mainstream outlets. His content blends immediacy with depth — translating complex policy issues into accessible explanations while maintaining intellectual rigor.

He views social media not merely as a broadcasting tool, but as infrastructure.

Ishaan believes the next frontier of political messaging lies in digital ecosystems — and that candidates, organizers, and advocacy groups must understand how to communicate authentically within them. He works to bridge that gap, helping campaigns think strategically about online engagement and narrative framing.

Through his weekly “Ishaan Chats” Instagram Live series, he hosts real-time conversations with leaders, organizers, and public officials from across the country. These interactive sessions provide audiences with direct access to policymakers while modeling what substantive, civil political dialogue can look like in digital spaces.

He is particularly focused on lifting up creators across the Midwest, building networks of politically engaged communicators who can shape regional narratives and support progressive candidates. His goal is to ensure that digital organizing capacity is not concentrated solely on the coasts, but rooted in communities across the country

Parallel to his media work, Ishaan has been deeply engaged in grassroots political organizing across Illinois and Wisconsin.

He serves on the Board of Indivisible Elk Grove Township and as Youth Ambassador for Barrington Area Democrats. He is also actively involved with the Palatine Area Democrats and the Elk Grove Township Democrats.

Across these organizations, Ishaan focuses on coalition building — bringing together volunteers, organizers, students, and elected officials around shared goals. His work emphasizes the intersection of communication and advocacy: crafting clear messaging, mobilizing turnout, and translating policy stakes into accessible narratives.

He has helped organize rallies ranging from local gatherings of 200 attendees to major events drawing more than 12,000 participants. These efforts have required coordination across organizations, volunteer mobilization, digital outreach, and on-the-ground logistics.

As a representative voice for Gen Z in political spaces, he has spoken at multiple public events about youth civic engagement, arguing that young people are not simply future stakeholders in democracy — they are present-day decision-makers whose participation shapes outcomes now.

Ishaan has worked directly on state legislative races in Illinois during the 2022 and 2024 election cycles, contributing to field strategy, voter outreach, and campaign messaging.

In Wisconsin, he helped organize college students during the 2024 presidential election — operating in one of the country’s most consequential battleground states. He continued that work into the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race, a high-profile judicial contest that saw record-breaking student voter turnout.

His approach to youth mobilization centers on relational organizing, digital communication, and sustained engagement beyond a single election cycle. Rather than episodic turnout pushes, he focuses on long-term political participation and leadership development.

At the core of Ishaan’s work is a belief that democracy must evolve alongside technology, culture, and generational change.

He is committed to modernizing political communication, expanding youth participation, and building durable progressive infrastructure capable of competing in both traditional and digital arenas.

Whether through investigative interviews, viral explainers, coalition organizing, or electoral strategy, Ishaan Srivastava is not simply observing political change — he is actively working to shape it.