Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann made the long-anticipated announcement Wednesday that he's running for lieutenant governor.

Hosemann made the announcement at KLLM trucking company in Richland.

More:UPDATED: Who's running for governor, AG and other open seats in Mississippi

As secretary of state, Hosemann said he helped pass a voter ID law and has made it easier for Mississippians to start a business, so he asked himself: "Where can we next go?"

If elected lieutenant governor, Hosemann said he would have a hand in crafting Mississippi's budget and passing its laws.

"You have your hand on the button (as lieutenant governor)," Hosemann said. "... And that's where I want to go."

Hosemann began his speech by saying he recently had a new grandson — his seventh grandchild — and he's been thinking about what kind of state Mississippi is going to be when his grandson grows up.

Hosemann said his number-one priority as lieutenant governor would be having an educated workforce.

"I'm telling y'all, everybody that's in the robotics class in school is going to get a job," Hosemann said. "The guy that can make the three-pointer or score the touchdown Friday night, they're probably not gonna play in the NFL. But all the rest of them are going to have a job."

When asked if he had been in contact with the governor and lieutenant governor about his upcoming campaign, Hosemann said he had.

He also praised the work ethic of Gov. Phil Bryant.

"His travel schedule, his work schedule is legendary," Hosemann said. "I would very much appreciate his endorsement and help."

Bryant tweeted his support of Hosemann Wednesday afternoon. "I look forward to any assistance I can provide to his campaign."

When asked if he ever considered running for governor, Hosemann did not directly answer.

"I wanted to go where I could make the most difference," he said.

Hosemann mentioned "ego," and that there are some positions that get "your picture, portrait in the capitol," ostensibly meaning the governor's office.

"That's less important to me," Hosemann said.

After taking a few questions from the press, Hosemann said he will be traveling to cities across the state to kick off his campaign.

"We're going to make this a better place," Hosemann said.

He ended his speech, saying: "I've always subscribed to the fact we should never say we've always done it that way. Just hang with me on what we're going to be doing in Mississippi. And I promise you, four years from now you won't be disappointed."

Hosemann is the only declared Republican in the race for lieutenant governor. The current lieutenant governor, Republican Tate Reeves, is running for governor this year.

If Hosemann wins his party's nomination, he would likely face Democratic state Rep. Jay Hughes of Oxford in the general election.

Asked for comment Wednesday, Hughes provided a statement saying he looks forward to a "healthy debate" with Hosemann on public education, health care and infrastructure.

"It is also my hope that Mr. Hosemann will evaluate whether it is fair to be on the state taxpayer payroll while he campaigns every day for another higher office after 12 years as an elected official," Hughes said.

More:Democratic Rep. Jay Hughes running for lieutenant governor: 'It all starts with education'

Hosemann has been secretary of state since 2008. He has high favorability and name recognition in polls. Previously, he announced he would not seek reelection to secretary of state but "further up the ticket." He had also long been discussed as a potential gubernatorial candidate.

Hosemann became a familiar name to Mississippi residents in part because of his comical campaign ads where an elderly woman struggles with his first name.

More:UPDATED: Who's running for governor, AG and other open seats in Mississippi