New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill is facing mounting criticism over her acceptance of donations from Pin Ni, a businessman closely tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). According to records obtained by Fox News Digital and the New York Post, Ni contributed $60,000 to the One Giant Leap super PAC backing Sherrill’s gubernatorial bid in two separate checks, in addition to a $5,800 individual donation directly to her campaign this summer. These contributions have raised significant ethical concerns, particularly given the legal restrictions on U.S. political campaigns that prohibit accepting funds from foreign nationals or individuals with ties to foreign governments, including the CCP.
Pin Ni, the founder of Wanxiang America Corporation, has a long-standing history of supporting the CCP’s political activities and influence operations in the United States. Michael Lucci, founder and CEO of State Armor, expressed strong concerns about the implications of Sherrill’s acceptance of these funds, calling it ‘disqualifying’ for a campaign that aims to represent American values. This issue is not isolated to Sherrill; it has also affected other Democratic candidates running for governor in the November election. For instance, Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger also received $50,000 from Ni in installments earlier in the year, prompting backlash from her Republican opponent, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
The controversies surrounding these donations have intensified in the context of broader concerns about the CCP’s increasing influence over U.S. political processes. The Wanxiang Group, Ni’s company, has long been associated with the CCP, and in a 2021 press release, the company posthumously awarded its founder, Lu Guanqiu, the title of ‘National Outstanding Communist Party Member.’ This recognition highlights the deep institutional ties between the Wanxiang Group and the CCP. The press release also emphasized Lu Guanqiu’s loyalty to the Party, including his adherence to the directives of Chinese President Xi Jinping. These connections raise further questions about the potential impact of such donations on the integrity of the U.S. electoral process.
Despite the mounting pressure, Sherrill’s campaign has not yet publicly responded to these allegations. Fox News Digital has reached out to both the Sherrill campaign and Pin Ni for comment but has not yet received a response. The situation has sparked a broader debate about the role of foreign entities in American politics, with critics arguing that the acceptance of such donations undermines the principles of democratic accountability and national sovereignty. As the November election approaches, the controversy surrounding these contributions is likely to remain a focal point of the political discourse.