Central Ward Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins this morning took out petitions in pursuit of the office of Mayor of the City of Newark.

Chaneyfield Jenkins will challenge incumbent Mayor Ras Baraka in the city’s May nonpartisan election.

Once a Chaneyfield Jenkins ally, Baraka is pursuing his second term as mayor.

Now he’ll have to get through the veteran Central Ward obstacle with citywide designs.

Chaneyfield Jenkins’ slate – at least at this point – will consist in part of at-large candidates Bessie Walker and Hector Corchado, both former councilmembers.

She’s expected to run a full slate.

More later on this developing story.