Ishaan Srivastava’s involvement in political campaigns began at just 15 years old, when he joined the first campaign of Illinois State Representative Nabeela Syed. As a member of Students for Nabeela, he immersed himself in grassroots organizing—knocking on doors, speaking directly with voters, and engaging in field operations that gave him early exposure to the power of local political movements. Along the way, he met prominent leaders such as Speaker Chris Welch and Governor JB Pritzker, moments that reinforced his belief in public service and civic engagement.
In 2024, Ishaan returned to Rep. Syed’s campaign as Chair of Students for Nabeela, leading the student outreach strategy for her successful reelection bid. In this leadership role, he organized student-centered events and oversaw communications that brought young voters into the fold. One of the campaign’s standout moments was a major organizing rally featuring activist David Hogg, which Ishaan helped coordinate from the ground up. As a field representative, he knocked on over 1,000 doors and had countless conversations with constituents about the issues that mattered most to them, building trust and energy across the district.
His political organizing experience extends beyond Illinois. In Wisconsin, Ishaan worked with the Wisco Project, a youth-led political initiative dedicated to student voter engagement. There, he mobilized students across college campuses, promoted candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris and Senator Tammy Baldwin, and played a key role in organizing a student-led rally the night before the election. That effort culminated in meaningful face-to-face moments with Vice President Harris, Senator Baldwin, and Governor Tony Evers—leaders whose work and advocacy continue to shape Ishaan’s own ambitions in public service.
Ishaan also contributed significantly to the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race through the Wisconsin Project, helping to turn out student voters in a high-stakes election. He coordinated directly with local authorities to organize events that brought the judiciary closer to student populations and drove awareness of the court’s impact on issues like voting rights and civil liberties. These efforts helped secure a successful outcome in the race, with Susan Crawford elected to the bench—an achievement that reflected the strength of youth engagement in state politics.
Through each campaign, Ishaan has demonstrated a consistent commitment to mobilizing communities, especially young voters, to effect meaningful change. His work reflects a belief in organizing as both a strategic and relational process—one rooted in listening, trust, and action. With each new campaign, he continues to build bridges between students, elected leaders, and the broader public, shaping a political future driven by energy, inclusivity, and purpose.
