Ron Kim, a state assemblyman from Queens, has made alarming claims that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tried to interfere in his re-election campaign during last June’s Democratic primary.
According to Kim, CCP-linked groups supported his opponent, Yi Andy Chen, an unknown candidate endorsed by the American Chinese Commerce Association, which has close ties to the CCP.
Kim shared his story with The New York Post, following the arrest of Linda Sun, a former top aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul. Sun has been accused of working as an unregistered foreign agent for the CCP. Kim expressed concern that the CCP’s efforts to influence U.S. elections are part of a growing trend. “We’re entering dangerous territory,” he said. “I don’t know how we can stop it.”
Sun and her husband, Christopher Hu, are charged with laundering millions in CCP-linked funds to purchase luxury homes and cars. Kim’s close race in the 40th District primary, and his opponent’s backing from CCP-affiliated groups, has raised alarms about the extent of foreign influence in local elections.
Kim emphasized that while most of the Chinese community in New York is anti-communist, new organizations tied to the CCP are undermining American democracy. Kim has also faced pressure from CCP-aligned entities for his support of Taiwan, a nation that the CCP considers a renegade province.
