JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After months of mounting speculation, Missouri State Auditor Tom Schweich on Wednesday launched his campaign for governor in 2016, forming a Republican primary with former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway.

Speaking to supporters in St. Louis, Schweich took jabs at Hanaway for her former positions on gun rights and Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster — the likely Democratic candidate for governor – for ethical issues raised by a New York Times investigation.

“As a state, we are facing some very serious challenges,” Schweich said. “We need stronger leadership and more honest government. We need fairer economic policies, and we need to improve our struggling schools.”

Schweich – a former Bush administration official who worked in foreign policy who was elected to a second term as auditor in 2012 – said he wanted to focus on making “Missouri government more accountable and transparent by putting a true anti-corruption expert in the governor’s mansion.”