In May 2007, when our House seat became vacant & the people of House District # 124 were without a voice, I contemplated furthering my public service into the political arena.  After much thought and prayerful discussion with my husband, family and friends, I decided to enter the race as a Republican candidate in the special Republican Primary election which was held on September 4th...

We were successful enough to win 14 of the 22 precincts & 42% of all votes cast!  This took us into a run-off on Tuesday, September 18th! 

We were successful again and won with 55% of the vote and a 10 point spread!  Thank you for your help & votes!  This victory took us to the October 23 GENERAL ELECTION!!!!!!!!!  I asked you to go back once more and vote for me, Shannon Erickson!

AND YOU DID AGAIN...We were successful!  Thank you for your love, support, and dedication!

So, now after 3 elections and 10 months on the job... another election & another victory!

The General Election on November 4, 2008 came and as promised, you all went to the polls & we were victorious with 58% of the vote once again! 

I am honored that the people of House District 124 have chosen me to represent them in Columbia.  I pledge to work hard, be fair and honest, and always remember the special people and place where I live and call home! 

I am the eldest daughter of Monroe and Jane Smith of Florence, SC.  I attended parochial kindergarten, Florence School District 1 public schools, Francis Marion University & The University of South Carolina, Beaufort Campus where I received a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education.  In March 1983, Kendall Erickson, of Charleston, SC, and I married, and in March of 1985, we and our newborn daughter, Mariah, moved to Beaufort, SC.  Our son, Josh, was born in June 1986 and I returned to the workforce in August 1988.  I am a former public and private school teacher and  currently work as a preschool owner/director.   I am the President of Lowcountry Building Blocks, Inc. which operates  Hobbit Hill Preschools.  This early education and care company serves approximately 350 children, has three locations, and currently employs 56 staff members.  My family and I have lived, worked, played and worshiped in Beaufort since 1985 and are proud to call it home. 

I have served on many committees and volunteer groups including the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, St. Peter's Catholic Church, public and private school PTO's, Beaufort County Water Festival, Junior Achievement Program, Chamber Small Business-Entrepreneurial Round Table, United Way, Habitat for Humanity Women Build Project, the Rotary Club of the Lowcountry, etc.  I am invested in Beaufort and the Lowcountry of South Carolina and I believe that hard work for my community is a duty and an honor!

On a state level, I served for two and a half years as President of the 300 member South Carolina Child Care Association.  My volunteer work with this organization took me to Columbia during legislative sessions to testify in front of House and Senate Committees, serve on panels of small business and education experts, and suggest legislative initiatives and amendments to bills.  I also served on the Governor's Child Care Advisory Board and am a member of the First Steps/United Way Quality Task Force. 

As your House District 124 Representative, I currently serve on the Labor, Commerce & Industry Committee with appointments to the Business & Commerce and Real Estate subcommittees.  My first session, I served on the Medical, Municipal & Military Committee for the House of Representatives.  I am a member of  the Sportsman's Caucus, the House Republican Caucus, the Affordable Housing Task Force, the Rural Counties Caucus, the General Assemby's Arts Council, the General Assembly Women's Caucus for which I serve as Second Vice-Chairman and the Republican Women's Caucus for which I am Chair.  I also have attended and participated in the House Education Funding Task Force.  I was appointed by House Speaker Bobby Harrell to serve on the Criminal Domestic Violence Study Committee, the Abstinence Education Task Force and by Governor Mark Sanford to be South Carolina's Legislative delegate to the National Governor's Association's Early Childhood Policy Summit.  I will attend the Southeastern Legislative Conference as the SC House Education delegate this summer. 

I believe in committment and dedication and apply it to all areas of my life, from my 26 year marriage to my business expansion over the past 12 years.  I believe in a pro-business, pro-family, responsible growth agenda and government that is responsive to the people it serves. 

My priority is to remain our Beaufort voice in Columbia,                                          NOT a Columbia voice in Beaufort!

  (Website paid for, created & maintained by Committee to Re-Elect Shannon Erickson)