Tough-on-China Dem Senate Candidate Invested in Chinese Companies Linked to State Surveillance

[Valin]

The Washington Free Beacon

Alex Lasry sold off $100-200K in Chinese companies linked to espionage but is mum on stock holdings linked to Uyghur slave labor

Alana Goodman

February 5, 2022

A Democratic Senate candidate quietly unloaded at least $100,000 in stocks in two controversial Chinese tech giants around the same time he pivoted to a tough-on-Beijing stance on the campaign trail—but is declining to say whether he sold his stakes in other companies linked to Chinese forced labor.

Wisconsin Senate candidate Alex Lasry held between $100,000 and $200,000 in corporate securities stock in tech companies Tencent and Alibaba, according to his most recent financial disclosure report in August. The U.S. government has accused both companies of aiding the Chinese military. Lasry also disclosed investments in Inditex and Seagate Technology, which have been accused of profiting off forced labor in Xinjiang, and Chindata, a company that has been active in China’s Belt and Road Initiative—a global infrastructure program that U.S. officials have decried as a national security risk.

The stock sales took place as Lasry has worked to shake off allegations from Republicans that he and his family have profited from business with China. They also coincided with his campaign's rebranding effort. In January, Lasry launched a $1 million campaign advertising blitz in which he promised to "stand up to China" and focus on supporting American businesses. But his investments in additional companies tied to human rights abuses could undercut his rebranding efforts.

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The Wisconsin Senate race is expected to be one of the most competitive of the 2022 cycle, with Democrats hoping to unseat GOP incumbent Ron Johnson.

Lasry, who has already pumped $2.3 million into his own campaign, is seen as one of several frontrunners for the Democratic nomination. The crowded primary field also includes sitting Wisconsin lieutenant governor Mandela Barnes and state treasurer Sarah Godlewski.