Before entering politics, David McCormick had a successful career on Wall Street, serving as the CEO of the largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates. His financial background made him an attractive candidate for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, as he was seen as capable of both fundraising and financing his own campaign. However, McCormick’s ties to Wall Street have become a point of contention, with both Republican primary opponents and Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey criticizing his past investments in Chinese companies, particularly those linked to Beijing’s military and surveillance activities.
Casey has been vocal in his criticism, accusing McCormick of prioritizing profits over American interests by investing in China while Casey was advocating for Pennsylvania workers. McCormick has defended his actions, stating that the investments in China were a small portion of Bridgewater’s overall assets and were driven by client expectations and the rapid growth of China’s economy.
Despite distancing himself from his Wall Street background during his campaign, McCormick has received substantial financial support from super PACs in the finance industry. He has highlighted his military service, academic achievements, and governmental positions in his campaign, downplaying his tenure at Bridgewater. However, his opponents continue to target his ties to China in an attempt to undermine his candidacy.
While McCormick now portrays China as a significant threat to the U.S. and calls for a reevaluation of American investments in Chinese technologies, his past at Bridgewater, known for its aggressive investments in Chinese companies, remains a point of contention. The contrast between McCormick’s views as a CEO and his stance as a political candidate has been emphasized during the campaign, with both candidates vying to position themselves as tougher on China.
McCormick’s departure from Bridgewater in 2022 to pursue a Senate seat did not sever his connections to China. Attacks from rivals in the Republican primary, including insinuations that he profited from dealings with China, have resurfaced in the current Senate race. McCormick’s efforts to shift the focus to Casey’s alleged ties to China through mutual funds and the Biden administration’s policies have not deterred Casey from highlighting Bridgewater’s investments in Chinese firms associated with national security concerns.
The clash over China policy between McCormick and Casey has become a focal point in the Senate race, underscoring the challenges McCormick faces in reconciling his Wall Street background with his political aspirations. Despite attempts to reposition himself on China-related issues, McCormick’s past investments continue to be a subject of scrutiny in the ongoing campaign.
