Prior to serving as Secretary of the Senate, Erickson served as the Democratic Representative to the
Sergeant at Arms. She also served as the deputy chief of staff to former Senate majority leader
Tom Daschle. On January 6, 2009, Erickson rejected
Roland Burris's request to be seated as the junior U.S. senator from Illinois. She stated that his credentials were incomplete because they were not signed by the
Illinois Secretary of State,
Jesse White. White refused to sign because the appointment was made by Illinois Governor
Rod Blagojevich, who was charged in
a corruption scandal with seeking to personally gain from the appointment. == Personal life ==