Steven Olikara
Steven Olikara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Citizenship | American |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Occupations | Political commentator, Civic engagement advocate |
| Known for | Candidate for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin |
| Website | stevenolikara |
Steven Olikara is an American political commentator, civic engagement advocate, and former political candidate.[1] He is known for his involvement in civic engagement initiatives and for his candidacy in the 2022 Democratic primary election for the United States Senate in Wisconsin.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Olikara grew up in the Milwaukee area of Wisconsin and attended Brookfield East High School. He later attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he studied political science and environmental studies.[3] While at the university, he participated in student leadership activities and was selected as a student speaker during a presidential event featuring Barack Obama.[3]
Career
[edit]Olikara became associated with national civic engagement efforts focused on encouraging cooperation among younger elected officials from different political parties.[4] These efforts coincided with the development and expansion of cross-partisan caucuses and networks of younger lawmakers in Congress and state legislatures.[4]
In August 2021, Olikara announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate seat in Wisconsin.[5] During the campaign, he advocated political reform proposals including campaign finance changes and electoral reforms.[5][6] He participated in debates and interviews with Wisconsin media outlets throughout the election cycle.[7]
Olikara was unsuccessful in the Democratic primary election, which was won by Mandela Barnes.[6]
In 2023, Olikara joined Bridge Entertainment Labs, an organization that examines the role of entertainment and storytelling in addressing political and social division.[8] The organization's work was later discussed by the Chronicle of Philanthropy in coverage of efforts to address political polarization through media and entertainment.[8]
Olikara also became affiliated with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy as a Senior Fellow for Political Transformation.[9]
Media and public commentary
[edit]Olikara contributes regularly on CNN[10], CBS News[11], and other national news outlets. He has appeared as a commentator on political and public affairs issues in national media outlets.[4] He appeared in the 2021 documentary film The Reunited States, which examines efforts to reduce political polarization in the United States.[12]
Awards and recognition
[edit]In 2017, Olikara was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Law and Policy category.[13] The Wisconsin Alumni Association named him a Forward Under 40 honoree in the same year.[14]
References
[edit]- ↑ Katherine Paige,"The Founding Millennials". thehumanist.com. September 22, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ Bill Glauber,"Steven Olikara forms 'exploratory committee' to join Wisconsin's 2022 U.S. Senate race". jsonline.com. May 25, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- 1 2 "UW-Madison student Steven Olikara wins Truman, Udall awards". news.wisc.edu. April 12, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- 1 2 3 Natalie Delgadillo,"For Millennials and By Millennials: The Rise of the Future Caucus". governing.com. February 21, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- 1 2 Bill Glauber,"Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Steven Olikara unveils 'agenda to make government work'". jsonline.com. August 21, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- 1 2 John Burnett,"Steven Olikara is the aspiring dark horse in the race to unseat GOP Sen. Ron Johnson". npr.org. August 5, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ Steven Potter,"Meet Wisconsin 2022 U.S. Senate candidate Steven Olikara". pbswisconsin.org. July 13, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- 1 2 Mark R. Madler,"Steven Olikara Joins Bridge Entertainment Labs". labusinessjournal.com. September 18, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Steven Olikara Joins the Schwarzenegger Institute". schwarzenegger.usc.edu. March 6, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "The Story Is with Elex Michaelson". transcripts.cnn.com. May 2, 2026. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Steven Olikara reacts to Charlie Kirk's killing as lawmakers denounce political violence". cbsnews.com. September 11, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "The Reunited States' Review: Hopeful Moments in a Political War". nytimes.com. January 28, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "30 Under 30 2017: Law & Policy". forbes.com. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Meet 2017 Forward Under 40 Award Recipient Steven Olikara '12". uwalumni.com. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
External links
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