Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announces he won’t run for U.S. Senate

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced recently in a letter that he won’t choose to run for U.S. Senate.

In a statement to supporters on Monday, Frerichs said he had aspired to follow in retiring Senator Dick Durbin’s footsteps but his life and priorities have changed by getting married three years ago and having twins two years ago.

Frerichs said he doesn’t need to be in Washington to make an impact. 

You can read the entirety of the message below.

We make plans, and God laughs. I have been thinking a lot about this old adage over the last several months.

I have always been grateful for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s mentorship and friendship. He first supported me 27 years ago when I was running in what most believed to be an unwinnable Republican district. He encouraged me in a handwritten letter to keep at it after that initial defeat. And as I have had increasing electoral success, I aspired to follow in Sen. Durbin’s footsteps.

For the longest time, it seemed like the stars might be aligned.

My daughter will turn 18 near the end of Sen. Durbin’s current term. Ella would go off to college and I could go off to D.C. Since Sen. Durbin made his announcement, my phone has rarely stopped buzzing. I have been humbled at the outpouring of support and encouragement from so many of you. I have had a lot of conversations over the last week and many people have encouraged me to run. I appreciate all the support, and, although it would be difficult, I can see a path.

However, the first question I have to ask myself is: Do I still want the job?

Over the last several years, my life and my priorities have changed dramatically. Three years ago, I married Erica. Two years ago, we were blessed with our twins, Theo and Max.

After many conversations with friends, and lengthy talks with my wife, I have reached the decision that the answer is no. I am not willing to travel to Washington, D.C. 30-some weeks a year and spend so many nights away from my children. I don’t want to miss their games, their recitals, or even that many bedtimes.

There is a mess in Washington right now and we need to send someone who will fight for all of us in Illinois, but that person will not be me.

Having run an executive office for the last decade, I have seen the power we have to give more people more opportunities here in Illinois. I don’t need to be in Washington to make an impact.

Our state is worth investing in and I intend to double down on Illinois. We need to make sure Illinois is a destination for families and for people looking to start a business. We need to provide an example of governing by grownups – in stark contrast with the chaos of D.C.

I have often said that the office of State Treasurer is the best, least understood, job in government. I intend to use the tools at my disposal to fight the Trump corruption, protect working families from the Trump chaos, and ensure Illinois survives and thrives when Trump finally leaves office for the last time.

Thank you for being a supporter. We have accomplished a lot, but we have a lot of work left ahead of us.

Sincerely,

Michael