ST. LOUIS • When Francis Slay announced he would not seek a fifth-term as St. Louis Mayor, he didn't rule out another run for office.

On Monday, the four-term mayor amended his campaign committee and hinted he might run for a statewide office in 2020. "Slay for Mayor," the mayor's longtime campaign committee, will become "The Slay Committee."

Slay's filing does not indicate which statewide office he might seek. Missouri will have a gubernatorial primary in 2020.

"Politics rewards planning," said Richard Callow, Slay's longtime campaign spokesman. "Francis Slay is a great planner."

Slay, 61, has been a popular figure in St. Louis city and across the region. But, St. Louis mayors have struggled with statewide office. The last to try was former three-term Mayor Vince Schoemehl, who was defeated in the 1992 Gubernatorial Democratic primary by Mel Carnahan.

Still, Slay, who has never lost a race in his three decades in politics, has amassed a considerable campaign apparatus.

The change means Slay can continue raising money. The committee reported having $970,788 in cash as of last quarter.

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