Election season is almost upon us is some states. But the entire race got blown up.
Because a leading Democrat candidate was caught taking money from Chinese communists.
Spanberger Accepts Donation from CCP-Linked Businessman
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger received $50,000 in campaign contributions from Pin Ni, president of Wanxiang America, the U.S. subsidiary of Chinese automotive conglomerate Wanxiang Group, according to campaign finance records.
The donations, made in two $25,000 installments in April and May 2025, have drawn scrutiny due to Wanxiang’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
A 2021 Wanxiang Group press release posthumously honored its founder, Lu Guanqiu—Pin Ni’s late father-in-law—as a “National Outstanding Communist Party Member,” praising his lifelong commitment to communism and alignment with CCP directives, including quotes from Chinese President Xi Jinping commending Guanqiu’s loyalty to the Party.
Guanqiu’s bio on Wanxiang’s website notes his roles as a representative in the CCP’s 13th and 14th congresses and a delegate to the 9th, 10th, and 11th Chinese National People’s Congress.
Political and Policy Context
The donations have sparked debate, as Spanberger, a former U.S. representative and CIA officer, has championed electric vehicle (EV) tax credits and mandates, policies that could benefit Wanxiang’s EV operations, including its luxury brand KARMA Automotive.
A spokesperson for Spanberger’s campaign defended her record, stating, “Virginians know that Abigail Spanberger has a demonstrated record of standing up for America’s national security, delivering results for Virginia families across party lines, and never backing down from keeping the American people safe.”
The campaign emphasized its focus on community safety, cost reduction, job protection, and improving Virginia’s public schools.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Republican opponent Winsome Earle-Sears criticized the donations, saying, “Taking $50,000 from someone with clear Chinese Communist Party ties tells us all we need to know. You can’t claim to stand up to foreign threats while pocketing money from someone celebrated by the CCP.”
Broader Donation Patterns and Legal Questions
Pin Ni has a history of donating to both Democratic and Republican candidates across multiple election cycles, including contributions to the Republican National Committee and New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker’s “Purpose Pac” in October 2024, per Federal Election Commission records.
However, the donations to Spanberger have raised concerns about compliance with Virginia law, which prohibits political contributions from foreign nationals, and Chinese law, which typically bars CCP members from holding foreign citizenship or permanent residency.
The National Legal and Policy Center plans to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, with counsel Paul Kamenar stating, “It’s bad enough if Spanberger is taking illegal campaign donations from a foreign source, but outrageous that it’s from a member of the Chinese Communist Party.”
Spanberger’s campaign has not directly addressed these legal concerns but continues to highlight her national security credentials from her CIA tenure.
