Representative Shannon S. Erickson
SC House of Representatives, District 124 (R)
Elected in October 2007 and again in November 2008, educator and business owner, Shannon S. Erickson, believes in building consensus and coalitions through grassroots citizen involvement and smaller, more accountable government. She currently serves on the Labor, Commerce & Industry Committee and hit the ground running by authoring "Lauren's Law", an anti-bullying bill, which was signed into law by the Governor in June 2008. Shannon, a pro-business & pro-environment leader, has been endorsed by NFIB, Conservation Voters of South Carolina, the SC Chamber of Commerce, the NRA and was honored with a “Fabulous Freshman” award by the Palmetto Family Council.
A member of the Sportsman's Caucus, the Affordable Housing Caucus, the General Assembly's Arts Caucus, Shannon is also a member of the General Assembly's Women's Caucus as Second-Vice-Chairman and the Republican Women's Caucus serving as Chairman. Appointed by Speaker Bobby Harrell to serve on the Criminal Domestic Violence Task Force and the Abstinence Education Study Committee, she was also appointed by Governor Mark Sanford to attend the National Governor's Associations Early Childhood Policy Retreat as its legislative delegate and as the SC General Assembly delegate on the Inter-Agency Coordinating Council. She was appointed by Speaker Bobby Harrell to attend the Southeastern Legislative Conference as the Education Committee legislative delegate this fall.
Representative Erickson grew up in Florence, SC, and is married to Kendall F. Erickson, CPA. They have two children, Mariah and Josh, who both live and work in Charleston, SC. Shannon has a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina and has volunteered extensively in her community through her involvement with the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Lowcountry, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the Rotary Club of the Lowcountry, various public and private school PTO’s and booster clubs, and the Beaufort Water Festival. On a state level, Mrs. Erickson serves on the SC Advisory Council on the Education of Students with Disabilities and the SC Child Care Association Board.
You can reach Shannon at erickson4@charter.net, shannonerickson@schouse.net or 843-263-1867. Her website is www.electshannon.com and you can follow her on Facebook (Shannon Smith Erickson) and Twitter (shannonerickson).
Here are Mrs. Erickson's answers to some questions posed by the Institute.
Has political office been a life long goal/dream of yours?
No Way! Politics ??? I look at it as public service. Instead of sitting back & saying "somebody ought to...," I offered myself as the "somebody" for House District 124 and the voters took me up on it once. I hope they will again.
Tell us something your friends would be surprised to learn about you?
I was a really shy, nerdy kid in school...well, I hope that would surprise them, haha.
What is your leadership style?
I believe in team-building. As an early childhood educator, I sometimes tease & say that I want everyone to play nice in the sandbox, but in all seriousness, they should. You can find neutral ground if you choose to and my job is bring people together. I believe in the golden rule, do unto others as you'd have them do unto you.
What keeps you awake at night?
Finances & budgeting. Our nation's, our state's, our county's, our city's, our business', our family's. We must control spending & growth of government...less taxes, better jobs for people who want them.
Your mother always said...
"Don't get too big for your britches." She would remind me that self-importance was the demise of many good people. She believed in me but always wanted to keep me grounded & focused.
Your father always said...
"You are the very best girl in the whole world." No fancy words from my dad, just his steadfast reminder of my value and potential. More children should hear that sentiment.
Learn more about Rep. Erickson at www.electshannon.com.