ST. LOUIS COUNTY • Three incumbents on the St. Louis County Council have announced their bids for re-election next year, with one hinting at higher ambitions.

Steve Stenger, D-Affton, who was elected from the 6th District in 2008, will go for his second full term - while leaving the door open to running for the county's top post in 2014.

Stenger, the council's chairman, has recently leveled public criticism at County Executive Charlie A. Dooley, a fellow Democrat, over budget issues. Stenger's comments have led to widespread speculation that he would seek Dooley's job.

When asked on Monday if that was, indeed, his goal, Stenger said, "My focus in the foreseeable future is to continue providing the best representation that I can for South County and St. Louis County as a whole on the County Council."

However, he added: "If members of our community asked me to run for County Executive in 2014, I would base my decision on what was best for St. Louis County at that time."

Dooley won re-election last year to his third, four-year term.

His spokesman, Mac Scott, said Monday that Dooley has not ruled out another run. "But he has also not committed to seeking another term at this point," Scott said.

The even-numbered of the county's seven districts are all up for election next year. Also announcing plans to run were council members Kathleen Kelly Burkett and Mike O'Mara.

Burkett, D-Overland, will be seeking her third four-year term representing the 2nd District. Burkett was first elected in 2002 to fill an unexpired term.

O'Mara, D-Florissant, will run for a third term in the 4th District. O'Mara was first elected in 2000.

No one has announced plans to oppose the incumbents.

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This corrects an earlier version of the story that listed an incorrect home city for Kathleen Kelly Burkett in the 9th paragraph.