Podesta to Join Emerging Clinton Campaign

Move Is Another Indication Clinton Is Working Toward Launching 2016 Presidential Bid.

John Podesta, a top White House adviser, will take on a senior role in Hillary Clinton ’s emerging presidential bid after he leaves the administration in February, three people familiar with the matter said. The move is one of the most definitive signs yet that Mrs. Clinton is building the apparatus to launch a 2016 run.

Mrs. Clinton isn’t likely to announce her decision on whether to enter the race until the spring. But her advisers are making preparations for such a campaign, as evidenced by Mr. Podesta signing on.

Mr. Podesta, who served as chief of staff in former President Bill Clinton ’s second term and has held a top role in the family’s charitable foundation, has sat in on informal meetings of Clinton aides in recent months devoted to a possible presidential bid, according to people familiar with the matter.

The precise role Mr. Podesta would play in a Clinton campaign is unclear. People familiar with discussions said he likely would be campaign chairman, should she decide to run.

Campaign operations tend to have a youthful cast, but Mr. Podesta, who turns 66 this month, would come to the job as a senior strategist and troubleshooter for Mrs. Clinton.

In the White House, Mr. Podesta has been among President Barack Obama ’s small circle of top advisers, keeping a hand in both foreign and domestic policy and counseling the president on topics including Ebola and immigration. He negotiated an agreement with the Chinese government on Mr. Obama’s behalf aimed at reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

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