Pin Ni, a manufacturing magnate identified as having ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has made significant campaign donations to several Democratic Senate candidates, according to campaign finance records. Ni, president of the Illinois-based Wanxiang America Corporation, contributed a total of $28,000 to the primary and general election campaigns of Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Each candidate received the maximum individual donation of $3,500 for both their primary and general election runs, totaling $7,000 per candidate.
This cycle, Ni has donated $63,000 to current senators and candidates, predominantly Democrats. His contributions have also extended to other candidates, including unsuccessful Senate contenders Maine Gov. Janet Mills and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), as well as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and retiring Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). Ni's most recent donation, made on August 10, went to Chris Pappas, who is considered a frontrunner in the New Hampshire Senate race.
Wanxiang America is a subsidiary of Wanxiang Group Corporation, China's largest auto parts manufacturer, headquartered in Hangzhou. The company's founder, Lu Guanqiu, was posthumously recognized by the CCP in 2021. Following Lu's death in 2017, leadership transitioned to his son, Lu Weiding, and his son-in-law, Pin Ni, who established Wanxiang America in 1994. In past business dealings, Wanxiang America acquired the assets of Fisker Automotive in 2014 and battery maker A123 Systems in 2013, the latter purchase raising concerns among lawmakers due to A123's development of technology using U.S. government grants.
Documents translated from the Wanxiang Group describe Ni as a "member of the Communist Party of China." A 2018 speech by Lu Weiding also referred to Ni as one of "seven Party Committee members." The Wanxiang Group has publicly celebrated the CCP's anniversary, stating it "listens to the Party, follows the Party’s lead, holds high the banner, and prioritizes Party building." Federal immigration law restricts individuals who have been members of or affiliated with the Communist or any other totalitarian party.
Last year, Ni's donations to Democratic gubernatorial candidates Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger also drew scrutiny. Michael Lucci, founder and CEO of State Armor, a group focused on combating the CCP, stated that "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."
Campaigns for the four Democratic Senate candidates did not respond to requests for comment. Attempts to reach Pin Ni were unsuccessful.