Mike Frerichs

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Mike Frerichs

Member of the Illinois State Senate from the 52nd district
In office 2007 -
Preceded by	Rick Winkel

Born	July 28, 1973 (1973-07-28) (age 34) Gifford, Illinois
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Laura Frerichs
Religion	Lutheran

Mike Frerichs is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 52nd District since 2007.

Frerichs lives with his wife, Laura, in Champaign. Upon graduating from Rantoul Township High School, Frerichs attended Yale University and received his BA in 1995. Frerichs was a teacher from 1995-1997.

Frerichs ran against former State Representative Timothy V. Johnson, but lost. In 2000 Frerichs was elected to the Champaign County Board and reelected in 2002. He was appointed to Champaign County Auditor by the County Board in 2002 and was elected to that office in 2004.

In 2005, Frerichs announced he would run for the 52nd Legislative District seat that includes most of Champaign County and Vermilion County. In what eventually became the second most expensive legislative race in Illinois history, Senator Frerichs was elected as the first Democratic State Senator to represent East Central Illinois since 1936.

Senator Frerichs is noted as both the youngest and tallest State Senator in Illinois. At 34, he is one of the youngest elected leaders in Springfield today. And, at 6 feet, 8 inches, he is one of the tallest legislators in Illinois history. (Abraham Lincoln was only 6 feet, 4 inches tall.)

Senator Frerichs also serves on his local volunteer fire department, on the board of a local non-profit nursing home, and is a member of the Urbana Rotary Club.