In what became the most expensive state senate race of 2006, Frerichs was elected over former Senator Judith Myers by a margin of approximately five hundred votes. In 2005, Frerichs announced he would run for the 52nd Legislative District seat – which includes most of Champaign County and Vermilion County – to fill the vacancy caused by Rick Winkel's retirement. Two years later, he was elected to the position. At the time, he was the only County Auditor in the state to become a Certified Public Finance Officer. As Auditor, he was responsible for preparing budget reports, maintaining financial records, ensuring the county met state and federal financial reporting requirements, preventing fraud, and improving the financial health of the county.

Later that year, Frerichs was appointed to succeed Gerrie Parr as the Champaign County Auditor by his fellow board members. In 2000, Frerichs was elected to the Champaign County Board and reelected in 2002. In 1998, Frerichs ran against then-State Representative Tim Johnson but lost. Upon returning home, Frerichs began to teach at his alma mater and served his local volunteer fire department, on the board of a local non-profit nursing home, and as a member of the Urbana Rotary Club. He then attended National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan where he studied Mandarin Chinese while teaching English courses.

Upon graduating from Rantoul Township High School, Frerichs attended Yale University and received his BA in 1995. 4.5.1 Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Actįrerichs was born and raised in Gifford.

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