By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – St. Louis County Councilman Skip Mange announced at Tuesday night's council meeting that he won't run for re-election next year.
The 65-year old Republican says he wants to see his 10 grandkids more, and that he's announcing now to give both parties time to find candidates.
But he wasn't aware of anyone that might have challenged him next year in the majority Republican district, either. "I feel very confident that had I wanted to serve again, I could," Mange said in an interview Wednesday morning.
"I've got some family things I want to do and some specific county issues I really want to devote my time to and not get all wrapped up in an election cycle."
Mange says he'd like to focus on how the county funds parks, regulates trash, and regulates pets before leaving the council.
The mayor of Fenton, Dennis Hancock, wasted no time in announcing Wednesday morning that he'll run for the seat. Hancock, a Republican, made an unsuccessful bid for County Executive last year.
Mange is the 3rd District Councilman. The Third District includes all of Des Peres, Frontenac, Fenton, Sunset Hills, Country Life Acres, Twin Oaks, Crystal Lake Park, Westwood, and Huntleigh; most of Creve Coeur, Town & Country, Kirkwood, and Valley Park; and parts of Chesterfield, Crestwood, Ladue, Manchester, and unincorporated St. Louis County.