The 2025 race for governor continues to intensify, with PACs and PAC-related events routinely cropping up now in advance of the collision to succeed Governor Phil Murphy.

Elected to his third term earlier this year, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has embarked on a statewide listening tour. He was in Camden earlier this month, and this past weekend appeared beside U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) in Trenton.

And, of course, his supporters have already established an independent fundraising arm.

Tonight, allies have a target of $200,000 to raise at an event for Unite PAC, founded in support of the mayor’s causes as he amps up a schedule around the state of New Jersey.

As part of his tour, Baraka mostly discusses issues of particular consequence to urban populations, including lead pipe water lines, and how his administration tackled the crisis in Newark. Baraka does not intend to limit the discussion to New Jersey’s urban corridors, however, and plans to venture into Sussex and rural parts of the state as he supports Democrats and independents who are normally left out of the political conversation.

Baraka has made no formal announcement of his 2025 plans, but allies say the PAC and the stepped-up listening tour combine to put him squarely in the middle of voter consideration.