“There is a vehicle now for donors to get involved,” an aide said.

This PAC isn’t the same as a presidential campaign committee, but it would allow Christie to raise funds, travel the country and support other candidates. Aides say this “gives a more formal structure” to his political operation and his major donors. Christie’s Iowa trip this weekend to speak at the Freedom Summit fell under this new PAC. “Leadership Matters for America” will be run by Finance Director Ray Washburne and senior advisors Phil Cox and Mike Duhaime.

Aides say Christie will makes stops for fundraising in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida and California. He is scheduled to speak at Republican dinner events in Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire in February. He travels in his capacity as governor to the United Kingdom on a New Jersey mission this weekend.