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Tag: fundraisers

  • Mark Zuckerberg to Host Fundraiser for Senate Hopeful Cory Booker

    Mark Zuckerberg to Host Fundraiser for Senate Hopeful Cory Booker

    Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is once again inserting himself into the New Jersey political scene – but this time it’s on the completely opposite side of the aisle.

    Bloomberg reports that Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan will soon host a fundraiser for Newark Mayor and Senate hopeful Cory Booker..

    “Mark and Priscilla are hosting a fundraiser for Mayor Booker in the coming days,” a Facebook spokesperson told Bloomberg.

    Booker is running to replace recently-deceased Democrat Frank Lautenberg in the U.S. Senate.

    If you recall, this isn’t the first fundraiser that Zuckerberg has staged for a prominent New Jersey politician. Back in February, he hosted a fundraiser for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at his Palo Alto home.

    It’s worth noting that Zuckerberg is throwing his weight behind politicians from across the spectrum – Christie being a Republican and Booker being a Democrat.

    Zuckerberg doesn’t just have a history in New Jersey politics – but in Newark, specifically. Back in 2010 the Facebook CEO donated $100 million to the struggling Newark public school system. Since then, he’s been linked to both Christie and Booker.

    Booker just officially announced his Senate bid last week.

  • Mark Zuckerberg’s Chris Christie Fundraiser Sees Protests

    Mark Zuckerberg’s Chris Christie Fundraiser Sees Protests

    On Wednesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg hosted a fundraiser for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at his home in Palo Alto, California. It’s thought to be the first major political fundraiser that the billionaire has ever hosted.

    “Mark and Priscilla have worked closely with Governor Christie on education reform in the Newark school system. They admire his leadership on education reform and other issues and look forward to continuing their important work together on behalf of Newark’s school children,” said a Facebook spokesperson, in justification for the fundraiser.

    But the fundraiser didn’t go off without a hitch. In fact, it was disrupted by dozens of activists who led a spirited protest outside Zuckerberg’s home. According to Bloomberg, around 40 protesters greeted guests as they arrived last night.

    “When we heard that Mark Zuckerberg was going to be inviting his wealthy Silicon Valley friends to raise money for Chris Christie, we thought they needed to see a bunch of us out here,” said Becky Bond, VP and Political Director of CREDO.

    CREDO Action is an activism program working as a wing of CREDO Mobile.

    “When I say ‘go home’ you say ‘Christie,” said one protest leader.

    “CHRISTIE, GO HOME,” echoed the protestors.

    As former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walked through the crowd of protesters, she was met with cries of “Shame on you,” and questions about the Iraq War. You can see Rice arrive at the fundraiser in a video here.

    Protesters mainly spoke out about Christie’s record on women’s rights, which they find lacking.

    “Chris Christie has built his political reputation by attacking Planned Parenthood, which provides all kinds of health services to women and men,” Greg Miller, a retired nurse with the California Nurses Association told The Huffington Post. “And we think that Mark Zuckerberg is contaminating himself by supporting that.”

    [Images via @cmarinucci, Twitter]

  • Mark Zuckerberg To Host Palo Alto Fundraiser for Chris Christie

    Mark Zuckerberg To Host Palo Alto Fundraiser for Chris Christie

    Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will host his first-ever big-time fundraiser for a political candidate – Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

    According to The Wall Street Journal, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla will host the event on February 13th at their home in Palo Alto, California. It will also mark the first out-of-state campaign event for his Christie’s reelection.

    “Mark and Priscilla have worked closely with Governor Christie on education reform in the Newark school system. They admire his leadership on education reform and other issues and look forward to continuing their important work together on behalf of Newark’s school children,” said a Facebook spokesperson.

    Apparently, Zuckerberg and Christie first became familiar when the Facebook CEO donated $100 million to the struggling Newark, NJ public school system back in 2010.

    “They have maintained a friendship since they met in 2010,” Christie’s political strategist Mike DuHaime told USA Today. “We are very excited about the trip to California as it demonstrates just how broad the support is for Gov. Christie.”

    Zuckerberg isn’t known for being overtly political, in either direction. He’s attended dinners with President Obama, hung out with Newark’s Democratic mayor Cory Booker. Facebook, as a company, likes to spread the wealth around when it comes to campaign donations. The company recently formed the Facebook Inc. political action committee, which has made donations to people on both sides of the aisle (for instance Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican Eric Cantor).

    Reports show that based on public sentiment, Christie is a huge favorite to win reelection.