Zuckerberg's foundation hires Hillary Clinton strategist

Joel Benenson, a Democratic pollster and former chief strategist to Hillary Clinton, will conduct research for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, according to Politico.

Roger Cheng Former Executive Editor / Head of News

Roger Cheng (he/him/his) was the executive editor in charge of CNET News, managing everything from daily breaking news to in-depth investigative packages. Prior to this, he was on the telecommunications beat and wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade and got his start writing and laying out pages at a local paper in Southern California. He's a devoted Trojan alum and thinks sleep is the perfect -- if unattainable -- hobby for a parent.

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Roger Cheng

Aug. 3, 2017 7:01 a.m. PT

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has a new hire for his philanthropic initiative.
James Martin/CNET

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Precilla Chan have tapped the former chief strategist for presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to aid their foundation, according to Politico.

Joel Benenson will conduct research for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the foundation that the couple set up for their philanthropic projects. The two have vowed to give away virtually all of their fortune through the initiative.

Benenson is a former Democratic pollster who advised both Clinton and President Barack Obama . He's the latest in a string of hires from the political world, including David Plouffe, who ran Obama's campaign in 2008.

The move fuels speculation that Zuckerberg is aiming to get into politics , even though he has said he has no interest.

Facebook wasn't immediately available to comment.