A New Jersey gubernatorial race is heating up with a twist straight out of a geopolitical thriller.
In a tight contest between Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a Chinese businessman named Pin Ni, linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through his company Wanxiang Group, has poured significant funds into Sherrill’s campaign, sparking concerns about foreign influence, as the New York Post reports.
Pin Ni, who founded Wanxiang America Corporation in Chicago back in 1994, isn’t a small-time donor with pocket change to spare. His company is a subsidiary of Wanxiang Group, China’s top auto parts manufacturer, a firm with deep roots in CCP circles. The late founder, Lu Guanqiu, was even hailed as an outstanding Communist Party member in 2021.
Let’s talk numbers -- Pin Ni has shelled out at least $60,000 to One Giant Leap, a super PAC backing Sherrill’s bid for governor in 2025. He didn’t stop there, adding a direct contribution of $5,800, the legal maximum, to her campaign in June of that year.
But wait, there’s history here -- Ni also funneled $14,500 to Sherrill’s congressional campaigns over the past two election cycles. It’s a pattern of support that raises eyebrows, especially given the murky details around his residency status. Federal law is clear: only U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents can donate to political campaigns.
While Ni reportedly holds a Social Security number, the lack of clarity on whether he’s legally allowed to contribute is a glaring red flag. If his status doesn’t check out, this could be more than just a political faux pas -- it’s a potential legal quagmire. And yet, neither Sherrill’s campaign nor Ni himself responded to inquiries about these donations.
The Wanxiang Group’s ties to the CCP aren’t just a footnote -- they’re a billboard. Lu Guanqiu, who passed the company to his son Lu Weiding and son-in-law Pin Ni, wasn’t just a businessman; he served as a representative of the Communist Party of China and a delegate for the Chinese National People’s Congress, as noted by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville in a 2023 letter.
Critics are sounding the alarm over what this means for American politics. “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,” said Michael Lucci, founder and CEO of State Armor, in 2025. If that doesn’t make you pause, what will?
Lucci’s warning isn’t just hot air -- it’s a reminder that foreign influence in our elections isn’t a conspiracy theory; it’s a real concern. While some might argue that donations are just business, when the donor’s company is intertwined with a foreign government, it’s hard to see this as anything but a risk to national integrity.
Interestingly, Ni doesn’t play favorites strictly with one party. He’s donated to both sides of the aisle, including $6,000 to the Republican National Committee in August and funds to Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat and former roommate of Sherrill. It’s a calculated move, perhaps, to hedge bets in a polarized landscape.
Ni’s involvement extends beyond politics into organizations like the China General Chamber of Commerce -- USA and the China Institute. While these affiliations might seem benign, they add another layer of complexity to his influence in American spheres.
Even Ni himself has acknowledged the challenges of his background, telling Bloomberg in May 2024, “Business partners don’t feel comfortable to deal with a company that has a Chinese background because they feel sooner or later they’re going to have a government issue.” Well, if business partners are wary, shouldn’t voters be too? That’s not cynicism; it’s common sense.
Meanwhile, the gubernatorial race itself is a nail-biter, with Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by just four points according to the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate. The tension is palpable, especially as Ciattarelli threatens legal action over Sherrill’s accusations tying him to profits from the opioid epidemic through his past medical publishing business. It’s a messy fight, and Ni’s donations only add fuel to the fire.
For conservatives, this situation underscores a broader frustration with unchecked foreign influence in our political system. It’s not about pointing fingers at individuals but about protecting the sanctity of our democratic process from external agendas. If we don’t draw a line somewhere, where does it stop?
Ultimately, New Jersey voters deserve transparency on who’s bankrolling their candidates and why. Pin Ni’s contributions to Sherrill’s campaign, while legal on paper pending residency confirmation, carry a weight of concern that can’t be ignored. Let’s hope this race stays focused on policy, not shadowy purse strings.
