As the November election draws closer, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed years ago with a Chinese company are resurfacing and affecting congressional races in Michigan. In particular, the 7th district race is attracting national attention as it was once rated “Lean Democrat,” but has now been changed to a “Toss-up” by Inside Elections. Both Republican Tom Barrett and Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr. are vying for the open seat that will be vacated by Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who is currently seeking office in the Senate.
The focal point of these tight races has become the NDAs related to a land development deal with Gotion, a Chinese-owned electric vehicle (EV) company looking to open a battery plant near Big Rapids on the west side of the state. Local opposition to the deal has raised both national security and environmental concerns, as the proposed plant would be situated in close proximity to two military bases and the Great Lakes. Gotion’s China-based parent company, Gotion High-Tech, has strong ties with the Chinese Communist Party, employing hundreds of its members on their payroll.
The controversy surrounding Gotion’s development dreams has been reignited this week when Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance spoke at a local farm against the project, which he called “a threat to America’s national security.” The renewed scrutiny on the deal is bad news for candidates with NDAs in their past.
Hertel, the Democrat in the 7th District race, is not only a former Michigan House Speaker but also an early mentor to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — he even gave the governor her first job in politics. When elected governor, Whitmer returned the favor by hiring Hertel as a top aide. That’s where Hertel signed his NDA with Gotion.
On the other hand, Barrett, Hertel’s opponent and a former state senator, was part of the legislature when his Republican colleagues backed the Gotion deal in large numbers. They also signed NDAs. However, Barrett never did and has used this fact to distance himself from any potential controversy related to the Chinese company.
Slotkin, who is currently seeking office in the Senate, has been found to have signed an NDA with a staffer in her House office: deputy legislative director Austin Girelli, in 2022. Her campaign denies the existence of the NDA but faces criticism from both national Republicans and the National Republican Congressional Committee for “lying” about signing it.
As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how these NDAs will impact the candidates’ chances of securing a win in the 7th district race. However, one thing is clear: the issue of China-related investments and their potential implications for national security has become an increasingly important topic in American politics.
