Winsome Sears, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, has raised allegations against Abigail Spanberger, a gubernatorial candidate and former congresswoman. Sears claims that Spanberger accepted $50,000 in campaign contributions from Pin Ni, an executive at the Chinese electric vehicle conglomerate Wanxiang Group and a confirmed member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Sears suggests that these contributions may have influenced Spanberger’s vote against blocking Chinese farmland purchases. These remarks were made by Sears on the social media platform X.
“Abigail Spanberger took $50,000 from a Chinese Communist Party member,” said Winsome Earle Sears, Virginia State Executive – Lieutenant Governor. “Maybe that’s why she voted against a bill to block China from buying American farmland. You can’t be Virginia First when you’re China First.”
According to the Washington Free Beacon, Spanberger received these donations in April and May. Under Virginia law, foreign nationals are prohibited from donating to political campaigns. Additionally, Chinese law prevents CCP members from holding foreign citizenship. Despite this, Spanberger has previously warned about national security threats related to China and supported electric vehicle subsidies that could benefit Ni’s company.
The Free Beacon reports that Ni has been named an “Outstanding Communist Party Member” 15 times and is involved in Party-related initiatives. He holds positions in U.S.-based Chinese organizations promoting Beijing’s interests, including the U.S.-China Strong Foundation and China General Chamber of Commerce. Ni is also President of Wanxiang Group, which has benefited from federal electric vehicle tax credits—a program Spanberger voted for—and owns KARMA Automotive, a luxury EV brand born from Wanxiang’s acquisition of Fisker Automotive.
Campaign finance records indicate that Spanberger accepted two campaign contributions totaling $50,000 from Ni. These connections were initially reported by The Washington Free Beacon and later confirmed by Fox News. Both Virginia state law and federal election rules prohibit foreign nationals from donating to political campaigns.
Sears criticized Spanberger’s energy policies in a campaign advertisement: “Abigail Spanberger’s energy plan is a roadmap to ruin,” she said. “Banning gas cars. Killing jobs. Crushing families under a radical progressive agenda.”
Earle-Sears is currently serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and is noted as the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia’s history. She is also a Marine Corps veteran and former state delegate now running for Governor of Virginia.
