After serving five years on the Newark City Council, Ronald C. Rice said Thursday he is launching an exploratory committee "in the next couple days" to investigate a possible run for U.S. Congress in 2012.

"We're raising a flag to see who salutes," the councilman told Patch. "The people are looking for new leadership and we're looking to gauge support."

It would be an uphill battle for Rice, who would have to challenge U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Sr., who represents New Jersey's 10th district, and who was the state's first elected African-American congressman.

Payne, 77, has held the congressional seat for 22 years and has enjoyed solid support by the county's Democratic Party.

But Rice said it's not personal and said he is aware of the challenges of running against Payne, who is one of Newark's elder statesmen. "I have a very good relationship with (Payne)," he said.

Rice, whose council term ends in 2014, is the son of state Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D-Essex), who handily won re-election Tuesday to another two-year term. Sen. Rice did not return calls for comment about his son's decision to run for Congress. 

Amirah Salaam, a Payne spokeswoman, said the congressman was not shocked by the news. "He is proud and confident about next year's election, based on his record in Congress," she said by phone from Payne's office in Washington, D.C.

In the meantime, Councilman Rice, who represents the city's West Ward, said he doesn't believe his decision will affect his relationship with Payne's son, Donald Payne Jr., who is Newark's council president.

"We're both committed to the residents of Newark," he said.

A search of Federal Election Commission reports shows Councilman Rice has not filed any paperwork for the seat as of Thursday afternoon.

The 10th congressional district serves parts of Essex, Hudson and Union counties.