Bob Allison

Bob Allison (he/him) has dedicated his career to helping build power to protect workers’ rights, our drinking water, Great Lakes and address the climate crisis.  Before joining Michigan LCV in 2017, Bob worked in a variety of roles on campaigns of all sorts – helping elect candidates, lobby lawmakers, and drive issue advocacy.  As Michigan LCV’s chief strategist, Bob draws upon his vast experience to help shape hard-hitting campaigns that integrate field organizing, TV and radio ads, online digital engagement programs, lobbying, and strategic media events.  He uses his deep network in Michigan (and beyond) to align our campaigns with large-scale partners for maximum impact, and fundraise to bring them to scale. 

Bob’s passion for people-powered movements began when he worked for Congressman David Bonior, a fierce labor-environmental rights champion.  The Bonior campaign’s relentless approach to voter turnout was pivotal in shaping how Bob works today.  He later sharpened his skills as an organizer for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), where he helped lead successful organizing and contract campaigns for thousands of home health care workers, nursing home aides, and hospital support staff in Michigan.  In 2008, Bob ran one of the largest door-to-door canvassing operations for Barack Obama in metro Detroit (over 280,000), and in 2016 led another multi-million-dollar field program in Detroit for Hillary Clinton.

Bob has extensive Lansing lobbying experience, and was instrumental in building bi-partisan support for first-ever wage increases and access to healthcare coverage for home health aides across the state.  

Through his advocacy and electoral experience, Bob has been at the forefront of helping to build important progressive political infrastructure in Michigan – launching new organizations focused exclusively on communications, research, and fundraising.  

Before he moved into politics and organizing, Bob spent six years professionally as a newspaper reporter in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida – winning awards for his investigative pieces on local government officials.  Throughout this time and to this day, Bob has had a quote on his desk by H.L. Mencken, a 1940s Baltimore Sun reporter and legendary journalist; “Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”  

Bob strives to own up to that mantra every day.

Bob lives in Berkley with his wife and two daughters, but he never forgets his Lansing roots (a proud graduate of Michigan State University!).  He sits on the boards of Progress Michigan, the Two Peninsula Research Group and the Michigan Civic Action Fund.  His family owns property in Boon (outside Cadillac) that borders the majestic Manistee National Forest.