❓WHAT HAPPENED: New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger are under scrutiny after receiving campaign donations from Pin Ni, a businessman with concerning ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mikie Sherrill, Abigail Spanberger, Pin Ni, Wanxiang America Corporation, Lu Guanqiu, and Michael Lucci.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Donations were made during the summer of 2025 to Sherrill’s campaign and her supporting super PAC, with a similar campaign contribution being made to Spanberger.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The donor, Pin Ni, has an extensive history of assisting the CCP’s political warfare and influence operations upon the U.S., and of generally aligning with and carrying out party commands.” – Michael Lucci
🎯IMPACT: Raises ethical questions about campaign donations from individuals tied to foreign governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party.
New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger are under scrutiny after receiving campaign donations from Pin Ni, a businessman with concerning ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Pin Ni, president of Wanxiang America Corporation, contributed $60,000 to the One Giant Leap super PAC supporting Sherrill’s campaign and an additional $5,800 directly to her campaign this summer. Meanwhile, the CCP-linked businessman also contributed $50,000 to support Spanberger in Virginia.
Wanxiang America is the U.S. domestic subsidiary of the Chinese automotive conglomerate Wanxiang Group, whose late founder, Lu Guanqiu, was posthumously recognized as a “National Outstanding Communist Party Member.” Notably, political campaigns in the United States are required to accept only contributions from American citizens or permanent legal residents. While Pin Ni’s citizen and residency status is unclear, his overt ties to the economic interests of the CCP raise concerns—especially amid the ongoing and escalating trade dispute between the United States and China.
A 2021 press release highlighted Guanqiu’s “pursuit of communism as a lifelong ideal and practice” and quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping praising his alignment with the CCP’s goals. Guanqiu was also appointed a delegate to multiple high-ranking CCP internal party committees.
Political campaigns in the United States are required to accept only contributions from American citizens or permanent legal residents. While Pin Ni’s status remains unclear, his ties to the CCP have raised concerns. Michael Lucci, founder and CEO of State Armor—a group he founed to to develop and enact state solutions to global security threats—stated, “The donor, Pin Ni, has an extensive history of assisting the CCP’s political warfare and influence operations upon the U.S., and of generally aligning with and carrying out party commands,” calling the acceptance of such donations “disqualifying.”
While Sherrill’s campaign has yet to comment publicly on the donations, Spanberger’s campaign defended her record on national security, stating that she remains focused on issues important to Virginians, including public safety and education. However, her opponent, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears’s campaign, argues, “Taking $50,000 from someone with clear Chinese Communist Party ties tells us all we need to know.”
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