Jake Smallhorn’s father has diabetes, but he cannot get health insurance coverage because of his pre-existing condition. Smallhorn, junior in LAS, said he believes that Mike Frerichs could be the kind of legislator who would work to find a solution to his father’s problem and make health care more accessible and affordable for everybody.

Frerichs, Champaign County auditor, officially announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for state senator in Illinois’ 52nd Senate District Wednesday afternoon at the Champaign County Courthouse.

Frerichs’ wife, Laura, said he has received endorsements from every elected Democrat official at both the municipal and county levels.

Frerichs served as vice chair of the Champaign County Board before he became county auditor in 2004. He also earned a certificate of achievement for financial accounting and passed the Government Finance Officers Association’s exams to become a certified public financial officer.

You know an auditor is doing a good job when he doesn’t get his name in the newspaper, Frerichs said.

He grew up in Gifford, Ill., a town of 800 people.

“It’s a place where wealth is measured in values and integrity, not income,” Frerichs said.

The first in his family to attend college, Frerichs graduated from Yale University. He spent a year in Taiwan teaching English and earned a fellowship from the Coro Foundation, an organization that trains young people to work in community development.

“He appeals to the world community and understands the needs of the local community,” Frerichs’ wife said.

At the age of 24, Frerichs ran for state representative in 1998 against Tim Johnson and lost by only five percentage points.

“I don’t know anyone who works harder than he does,” said Justin Cajindos, president of the University’s College Democrats and who has worked on three political campaigns. “He’s the most energetic, intense candidate I’ve seen.”

Although the election is 15 months away, Frerichs plans to go door to door on nights and weekends to hear constituents’ concerns and ideas. This will be his sixth election, and he said he has learned a lot knocking on doors.

“I’m known for walking, and I take long steps,” 6-foot-8-inch Frerichs said.

Frerichs said he intends to focus his priorities on health care, education, job creation and agriculture. Although he believes there will be little progress on health care on a national level, Frerichs said change is possible statewide.

He said he plans to work with Healthy Illinois and the Illinois Campaign for Better Health Care, as well as local groups, such as Champaign Health Care Consumers.

“In Illinois, we have the opportunity to enact meaningful health care legislation,” Frerichs said.

Frerichs also wants to increase University students’ access to scholarships and financial aid as well as to increase University funding to attract and retain faculty.

“Kids are idealistic,” Frerichs said. “They want to go out and help. But when they are burdened by $15,000 in debt, it limits their options.”

Andy Munemoto, junior in LAS, said he believes Frerichs is a strong candidate who can win the seat.

“He has strong character,” Munemoto said. “His parents taught him good ethics.”