David Roberts (political advisor)

David Roberts
Political Director at the Oklahoma AFL-CIO
Current
Assumed office August 5, 2023
Director of Development and External Relations at the Oklahoma Democratic Party
In office October 1, 2022 – August 4, 2023
Preceded by	Ryan Starkweather
Personal details
Born	(1985-07-19) July 19, 1985 Poteau, Oklahoma
Political party	Democratic
Education	Northeastern State University (BS) University of Oklahoma (Graduate Studies)
Occupation	Political Advisor, Author, Activist, Entrepreneur, Historian

David Don Roberts (born 1985) is an American author, political advisor, and historian from Oklahoma. He is the political director at the Oklahoma AFL-CIO and a senior advisor to a political and public policy consulting firm.

He began his service in politics at the age of 9, through association with Oklahoma senator Gene Stipe.

Roberts wrote Political Campaign Playbook, described as a how-to guide for successfully running for public office. As a historian and member of the Oklahoma Historical Society, Roberts completed an extensive historical research project regarding the Sans Bois Mine explosion of 1912, a tragic event that occurred in his hometown of McCurtain, Oklahoma. His research and findings were released in 2024.

In 2003, while finishing high school, Roberts was elected as the national president of Business Professionals of America, a Career and Technical Student Organization. Roberts began to gain notoriety as a political operative serving on high profile political campaigns including Senator Blanche Lincoln, Congressman Mark Critz, and then-Senator Barack Obama's campaign for President of the United States, the committee Obama for America.

Roberts became less active in politics following his grandmother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's Disease and dementia, which prompted his return to Oklahoma where he served as her caregiver and was persuaded to assist with the campaign of state Senator Constance Johnson, in her bid for the Senate.

Early life

Born in Poteau, Oklahoma, in 1985, Roberts spent his childhood being raised in rural McCurtain, Oklahoma located in Haskell County, Oklahoma. He graduated from McCurtain High School and attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he studied political science and history. Roberts was appointed by the government of the Town of McCurtain to serve as the grant and public resource administrator, acquiring more than $1.5 million in state and federal funding while serving in that capacity.

Political activities

Roberts has worked on a number of political campaigns including Oklahoma congressional and gubernatorial campaigns. In 2008 Roberts served as staff for both the primary and general election campaigns of Barack Obama. He also worked for former Arkansas U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln’s 2010 elections, Chief Bill John Baker’s campaign for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and the 2012 Wisconsin recall of Governor Scott Walker.

He worked for the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and served as field director on the high-profile and heavily targeted Frontline congressional campaign of Pennsylvania Congressman Mark Critz.

Following the November 2012 general election, Roberts returning to rural Oklahoma due to an illness with his grandmother. While back in Oklahoma, he accepted and served as a senior advisor and political director for Oklahoma State Senator Constance Johnson as the campaign faced off against U.S. Senator James Lankford for the United States Senate seat that he currently occupies.

Roberts worked on state questions and legislative issues. In 2011, following his consulting service for U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and former Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, Roberts was a key lobbyist and consultant responsible for the passage of Arkansas' Main Street Fairness Act, signed into law by Governor Beebe in April of 2011. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) hired Roberts to manage the Oklahoma and Arkansas portions of their 'Fast for Families' campaign for immigration policy reform. He currently serves as an advocacy ambassador for the Alzheimer's Association.

In 2022, Roberts joined the Oklahoma Democratic Party as the director of development and external relations. In this role, he successfully revitalized the party's digital fundraising platform, significantly increasing online donations and subscribers.

In August 2023, Roberts transitioned to his current role as political director of the Oklahoma AFL-CIO, where he advocates for the rights and interests of workers across the state.

Authorship and advocacy

Roberts is the author of "Political Campaign Playbook: The Ultimate How-To Guide for Aspiring Leaders," published in June 2023. This comprehensive guide draws upon his extensive experience to provide readers with practical advice and strategies for running successful political campaigns. Book Authority listed Political Campaign Playbook as one of their “Best 15 Political Books to Read in 2024.”

Roberts is an advocate for Alzheimer's awareness and research, stemming from his personal experience as a caregiver for his grandmother. Much of his time with the Oklahoma Democratic Party that wasn’t focused upon raising funds, would focus towards training activists, candidates or promoting a strong message that upheld the policies and ideals of the Democratic Party.