Pin Ni donations to Democratic Senate candidates spark scrutiny

Campaign finance records reveal that Pin Ni, president of Illinois-based Wanxiang America Corporation, has donated a total of $28,000 to several Democratic Senate candidates. These contributions include $7,000 each to the primary and general election campaigns of Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH), Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

Pin Ni is the son-in-law of the late Lu Guanqiu, founder of the Hangzhou-based Wanxiang Group Corporation, which was recognized by the Chinese Communist Party. The donations have drawn scrutiny from China hawks due to the businessman's ties to the CCP and the company's status as a major Chinese auto parts manufacturer.

In the New Hampshire Senate race, Chris Pappas is a leading contender to succeed the retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. While Pappas currently holds a narrow lead in polling, his campaign is facing competition from Karishma Manzur, an outsider and scientist running on a platform that criticizes the Democratic establishment and emphasizes climate change and foreign policy concerns.