Sen. Frerichs Exploring Run For Treasurer

State Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) is exploring a run for state treasurer.

The 39-year-old who was elected to the state legislature in 2006 has launched a campaign website indicating he was a candidate. But late Friday, Frerichs said he was still gauging the level of support, and would make an official announcement in the next three to four weeks.

"You know, it's been a long time since we've had a downstater nominated by the Democratic party for one of the state constitutional offices," he said. "There's a lot of support there. We're reaching more into Chicago and Cook County now to see what kind of support we might have there."

Prior artilces on political websites indicate a Frerichs candidacy may not be much of a surprise. A post on the Champaign County Democrats’ website indicated in late April through Champaign County Democratic Chair Al Klein that Sen. Frerichs was considering a run for the office.  The conservative website Illinois Review reported earlier this week that Frerichs was organizing a campaign for state treasurer.

Current treasurer, Republican Dan Rutherford is a candidate for Illinois governor in the March 2014 primary. 

Frerichs is a native of Gifford and Yale University graduate. He formerly served on the Champaign County Board from 2000 to 2002, and was county auditor 2002 to 2006.

Frerichs' victory in the 2006 senate race against Judy Myers of Danville was the most expensive state senate race in Illinois that year.  According to the website National Institute on Money in State Politics, each candidate spent over $1 million.

Other declared candidates for treasurer so far include former Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Schillerstrom from DuPage County.