NATCHEZ &045; Flanked by supporters on the steps of the Adams County Courthouse, State Rep. Andrew Ketchings, R-Natchez, on Monday officially kicked off his campaign for state treasurer.

With 11 years in the banking industry and his experience as a small business owner and legislator, Ketchings said he has what it takes to keep a close watch on the state’s finances.

&uot;But that is not the only reason I want to serve as your next state treasurer,&uot; Ketchings said in a brief speech. &uot;I am running for the office because, like other conservative Mississippians, I am sick and tired of waste.

&uot;I am sick and tired of mismanagement, Š of misplaced priorities, Š of ill-conceived programs that have squandered hard-earned taxpayer money.&uot;

Ketchings said raiding of one-time money for budget shortfalls, among other practices, have left the state’s budget in shambles.

&uot;The Office of the State Treasurer should be a bully pulpit for every hard-working Mississippian concerned about how their tax dollars are spent,&uot; he said.

Ketchings also announced that next week his campaign will launch a toll-free telephone and Web site for taxpayers to report examples of what he called government’s &uot;waste, mismanagement and failed policies.&uot;

&uot;And after this launch, every few weeks my campaign will be releasing specific examples of problems along with our proposed solutions,&uot; Ketchings said.

Ketchings, who is in his second term as a state representative, is a Natchez native who volunteers with several nonprofit organizations as well as with youth sports.

He is a former delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders.

He is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce and has served on the Adams County Republican Executive Committee since 1992.