Dem gubernatorial nominee facing heat for taking donations from CCP-linked tycoon: 'Disqualifying'

New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill is facing criticism after a businessman linked to the Chinese Communist Party made multiple donations totaling tens of thousands of dollars to her campaign Pin Ni the founder of Wanxiang America Corporation donated to the One Giant Leap super PAC backing Sherrill s campaign in the form of two checks in addition to giving the individual max donation directly to Sherrill s campaign this summer according to records reviewed by Fox News Digital Political campaigns in the United States are only permitted to accept money from American citizens or permanent legal residents and in addition to Pin s status being unclear questions have been raised about the ethics of accepting money from individuals linked to the Chinese Communist Party 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 our party commands Michael Lucci Founder and CEO of State Armor stated New York Post adding that taking money from Ni is disqualifying NEW INVESTIGATION EXPOSES GREEN CAPACITY ORG'S TIES TO CCP INTERESTS WHILE UNDERMINING USWanxiang Group posthumously awarded the company s founder Lu Guanqiu the title of National Outstanding Communist Party Member in a press release and praised Guanqiu for his pursuit of communism as a lifelong ideal and practice The press release also reported Guanqiu the late father-in-law of Pin Ni has invariably listened to the Chinese Communist Party and followed the Party a Fox News Digital review identified earlier this year The press release continued by quoting Chinese President Xi Jinping's praise of Guanqiu saying he was in line with the Party Central Committee He invariably actively does what our Party committees and governments at all levels advocate 'COMING FOR US' EXPERT SOUNDS ALARM ON CCP'S MISSION TO 'KILL AMERICANS' AFTER FBI MAKES SHOCKING ARRESTSThe founder's bio on the Wanxiang website says he was elected as the th and th Representatives of the CPPCC and a delegate to the th th and th Chinese National People's Congress top levels of the CCP's hierarchy Fox News Digital reached out to the Sherrill campaign inquiring whether the money would be returned Fox News Digital also reached out to Pin Ni but did not right away receive a response Sherrill isn't the only Democrat running for governor in November to be faced with questions about donations from Pin Ni Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger took from the CCP-tied businessman in two installments in April and May Fox News Digital previously released The donations sparked criticism from Spanberger's Republican opponent Virginia Lt Gov Winsome Earle-Sears Taking from someone with clear Chinese Communist Party ties tells us all we need to know her campaign spokesperson reported at the time You can t claim to stand up to foreign threats while pocketing money from someone celebrated by the CCP A Spanberger campaign spokesperson stated Virginians know that Abigail Spanberger has a demonstrated record of standing up for America s national protection delivering results for Virginia families across party lines and never backing down from keeping the American people safe Her campaign will remain focused on what Virginians care about bulk keeping our communities safe driving down costs protecting Virginia jobs and making sure Virginia s general schools are the very best in America the spokesperson added Fox News Digital s Amanda Macias contributed to this review