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Mark Penn has quit his role as the chief strategist for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, following the controversy over his participation in talks about a free-trade pact with Colombia. (Campaign statement) 6:59 p.m.
WASHINGTON — New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has replaced the longtime chief strategist of her presidential campaign, Mark Penn, after disclosure that he was working with Colombia’s government to help win congressional approval of a trade pact that she opposes.
In a statement, campaign manager Maggie Williams said that “after the events of the last few days, Mark Penn asked to give up his role as chief strategist.” But Clinton campaign advisers made clear that he was all but forced out for what Mr. Penn on Friday conceded was “an error in judgment.”
Mr. Penn’s polling firm — Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc. — will continue doing work for the campaign, Ms. Williams said. But pollster Geoff Garin and communications director Howard Wolfson “will coordinate the campaign’s strategic message team going forward,” according to her statement.