Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
21%
20%
13%
8%
Illinois Democratic Senate nominee?
$560.1K
MAR 18, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleTreasurer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
Age52 years old (Jul 28, 1973)
GenderMale
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LocationIllinois
BackgroundPolitician
EducationYale University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsMichael W. Frerichs is an American politician who has served as Illinois State Treasurer since January 2015, after being elected in 2014 and re-elected twice. He previously served as Champaign County auditor and represented east-central Illinois in the Illinois State Senate. He was born and raised in Gifford, Illinois, and graduated from Yale University. Before state office, he spent time in Taiwan teaching English and studying Chinese and later started a technology business in Champaign County.
SourcesShowHide
illinoistreasurer.govilsos.goven.wikipedia.orgmikeforillinois.comnews.wttw.comspringfieldbusinessjournal.comipaddress.comcommons.wikimedia.orgkpbs.orgnprillinois.orgpljulianhs.netillinoistreasurergovprod.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.netilga.govwgem.comcapitolcitynow.comminnesotareformer.comfortune.comictnews.orgcbsnews.comnorthernpublicradio.orgchicago.suntimes.comdemocratictreasurers.orgwcmauthorguide.illinois.govabc7chicago.comvotesmart.orgapnews.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgbanking.senate.govnga.orgcongress.govballotready.orgduckworth.senate.govsenate.govcha.house.govdurbin.senate.govfec.govwarren.senate.govgovinfo.govoversight.house.govcreativecommons.orgwikidata.orgdocs.house.govoversightdemocrats.house.govdemocrats-edworkforce.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
As Illinois Treasurer, Michael Frerichs emphasizes maximizing investment earnings and financial programs (529, Secure Choice, ABLE) to reduce the need for raising taxes and to expand savings opportunities for residents. He frames investment returns earned by the Treasurer’s Office as dollars that do not have to be raised through taxes or require cuts to services.
Healthcare
Supports preserving and protecting Medicaid funding and warns that proposed federal Medicaid cuts would reduce coverage, threaten rural hospitals, and destabilize Illinois’ health system and economy. Emphasizes the share of children, seniors, and people with disabilities served by Medicaid and opposes reductions that would increase uninsured rates and strain providers.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports reproductive freedom and opposes government restrictions on abortion and related reproductive healthcare; has condemned the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and argued that government should not make health-care decisions for women. Has defended access to assisted reproductive technologies (IVF) and framed protections for reproductive choices as necessary.
Climate & Energy
Supports integrating climate- and environmental-related factors into state investment decisions, advances sustainable/ESG investing and research, and has promoted expanded use of alternative fuels in prior legislative work. The office emphasizes managing greenhouse gas emissions and climate risk as part of investment stewardship.
Public Safety & Guns
Has a record of sponsoring firearm-related legislation as a state senator (including bills on firearm-owner ID expiration and premises-liability for shooting ranges) and, as treasurer, describes using sustainability/corporate-responsibility criteria when making investment decisions. Positions on major gun-policy measures (assault weapons bans, red flag laws, universal background checks) are not explicitly stated in the cited materials.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Michael Frerichs is appearing in coverage tied to Illinois’s crowded 2026 primary season, which has been intensified by multiple congressional retirements and several open seats. Reporting highlights a surge of candidates, heavy campaigning, and expectations of high voter interest ahead of the March 17, 2026 primary. Separate election guides are also emphasizing voting logistics such as early voting, mail-in ballots, and same-day registration.
illinoistreasurer.gov+46
Articles
N5NBC 5 Chicago3 months ago
A voter’s guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election
Neutral
TBThe Boston Herald3 months ago
Congress' record retirements create candidate frenzy in Illinois
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
Illinois Democrats denounce Donald Trump's strikes against Iran
Positive
CSChicago Sun-Times3 months ago
Five Illinois congressional seats, Senate seat open in historic election year
Neutral
Polls
Illinois Democratic Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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