Bob Emerson was first elected to the Michigan Legislature in 1980 when he won a special election for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.   After being re-elected to the House eight times, he served two terms in the Michigan Senate, representing Genesee County's 27th Senate District.  In his final term, Emerson served as Senate Minority Leader, having served as Senate Minority Floor Leader during his first term. 

In 1993, then-Representative Emerson served as a member of the special committee of 14 bipartisan legislators chosen to suggest improvements to Michigan's school financing plan.  As a co-chair of the School Aid Appropriations Subcommittee, he oversaw a complete restructuring of the school financing system.

As a 26 year veteran of the Michigan Legislature, Emerson was instrumental in approval of a state level Earned Income Tax Credit; increasing the minimum wage; reforming the workers compensation and unemployment insurance laws; preserving MIOSHA; involved with maternal and child health issues, including the designation of prenatal care as a basic health care service; and made the funding of essential local health services a priority.

Bob Emerson was born and raised in Alpena, Michigan.  He graduated from the St. Paul Catholic Seminary in Saginaw, and attended Wayne State University and the University of Michigan - Flint.

Emerson moved to Flint in 1969 and was employed by General Motors at the Chevrolet Engine Plant.   He later worked at St. Joseph Hospital where he organized a union and served as its first president.  His involvement in the union led to his appointment as a field representative and political coordinator for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees. 

He has been active in his community and has served as a member of several community agencies and commissions.  He was a founder of the Crim Road Race Inc., a non-profit corporation that sponsors one of the country's finest road races.  This corporation has raised over one million dollars for the Michigan Special Olympics.  He also founded and served as chairman of the Greater Flint Health Coalition.

Emerson is married to Judy Samelson and is the proud father of four children.