NEWARK — Newark Mayor Cory Booker could be eyeing a run for the U.S. Senate, according to sources close to the Booker administration as well as papers filed with the Federal Election Commission. But for now, Booker is just looking to help other candidates, sources said.



"There's a potential for a Senate run if the lane opens up for a Senate run," said a source close to Booker who was not authorized to speak on the record about the political action committee. "We plan to be very engaged as President Obama campaigns to be elected to a second term. This is a tool that will help us to raise money as we travel across the country."



According to the sources, the nationally known mayor was encouraged to run by several high-profile donors. The committee is chaired by Bari Mattes, Booker's longtime fundraising adviser and former City Hall employee, according to the commission report filed Monday.



"Mayor Booker knows President Obama, Senator (Robert) Menendez and other federal legislators who support Newark, its citizens, and its businesses, need our support in next year's election to continue their outstanding work for Newark and other cities around the country," Mattes said in a statement. "I've formed CoryPAC to promote Newark's successes and advocate for its needs. Newark needs as many friends as it can at the federal level, and this is just one of the many ways we are working to make sure the entire country knows how Newark is confronting its challenges and what remains to be done."



Since becoming mayor in 2006, Booker has entertained the prospect of higher office, though he recently indicated he would not be interested in the Senate. A source close to the PAC said it had yet to raise any money.



A federal PAC has greater leeway in collecting and donating money to other candidates than a municipal campaign. Booker is a prolific fundraiser, having raised $7.3 million for his 2010 mayoral race.