The Republican primary for state treasurer will be an interesting race that should put to test the idea that a Republican cannot win the primary without Madison and Rankin counties.

Rep. Andrew Ketchings, R-Natchez, is probably the most qualified candidate in the GOP primary. He was recruited by some of the GOP faithful from Rankin County, as well as Republicans from north Mississippi and in his home area.

However, Ketchings is not likely to see much support from Rankin and Madison counties come primary election day. That is because he will face off against fellow Republican Tate Reeves, who has deep roots in central Mississippi.

It should be noted that Wayne Burkes is also in the Republican primary, but most people see Burkes as the third man in what will eventually have to be a one-man show.

Reeves is the son of Terry Reeves, who owns Climate Masters in Rankin County and who has never been bashful with his wallet when it came to supporting GOP candidates.

&8220;Terry has been a stalwart of all Republican candidates,&8221; one Rankin County GOP fund-raiser said. &8220;Whenever we’ve asked him for money, he’s been there.&8221;

In short, most people in Rankin County will have a hard time not putting their financial backing &045; and vote &045; behind Tate Reeves.

If recent fund-raising disclosures are any indication, Reeves will outpace all other treasurer hopefuls – Republicans and Democrats alike.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, Reeves claims to have raised $103,744 for his campaign. He reported spending $8,094 of that to leave him with a bank of $95,650. Ketchings, on the other hand, raised only $18,500, spent $920 and has $17,579 on hand.

The upside for Ketchings &045; besides the fact that he has just kicked off his campaign in earnest &045; is that $10,000 of Reeve’s donations came from his father’s business and $20,000 from Hal and Linda Parker, owners of Sunbelt Homes in Bolton.

Still, $30,000 less than what Reeves reported is still more than what Ketchings has on hand.

Furthermore, Reeves, who works for Trustmark Bank, reportedly handles several portfolios for investors. These investors are familiar with him and are thought to be poised to invest in his candidacy as well.

The fact that the elder Reeves is a big fund-raiser himself is another plus for Reeves’ chances. He was behind state Sen. Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, when he made a run for higher office.

Nonetheless, Ketchings is still ahead in the experience game. Reeves, 29, knows his stuff, but Ketchings has been around the block a few more times. Furthermore, Ketchings knows Mississippi politics firsthand, not just from behind the scenes.

&8220;Andrew just comes off better, and he is probably our best shot at taking the office,&8221; another Rankin County fund-raiser said, perhaps indicating that Reeves may take the ballot boxes in Rankin County but not get the Rankin County influence across the state. Too, Ketchings’ candidacy announcement was something different than what we have heard out of other treasurer candidates in the past. Ketchings is advocating a treasurer who is more active, who uses the position as a &8220;bully pulpit for every hard-working Mississippian concerned about how their tax dollars are sent.&8221;

His candidacy could appeal to people who like the way Ray Mabus used the state auditor’s office to influence change, who believe the treasurer could step up influence with budgeting and spending matters by the Legislature. That kind of approach, coupled with key Republican counties in north Mississippi, could put Ketchings over the hump this summer.

Still, if history is any indication, the person with central Mississippi and the most money generally wins. Right now, that’s Reeves.

E-mail Sam Hall at

sam.hall@timespost.com

.