A Republican, he represented the old Districts 19B and 26B and, later, 27B, which included all or portions of Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties, changing somewhat through redistricting in 1970 and 1980.
He allied with the Conservative Caucus at a time when the legislature was still officially nonpartisan, and later identified as a Republican when party affiliation became required of candidates.
[1] Erickson was, along with senators Dennis Frederickson, Earl Renneke and Jim Vickerman, and representatives Aubrey Dirlam, Henry Kalis and Gilbert Esau, one of the longest-serving legislators from southern Minnesota in the state's history.
He served in the United States Army Infantry during World War II, being deployed in the Asiatic theatre for two years.
[3] He also taught seventh- and eighth-grade industrial arts and young farmers classes, and was a longtime member of the Rock County Fair Board.