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<h1>Media </h1><h4>Last Updated 4/21/2026</h4>Overview:Esther Kim-Varet is a reformer who will take on corruption in Washington and fight back against Donald Trump. Summary:&nbsp; Likely primary voters who are Democrats and left-leaning no party preference (NPP) should see and read messages that frame Esther Kim-Varet as a reformer who will crack down on corruption, reject corporate PAC money, and fight back against Donald Trump and MAGA Republican attacks on our communities and economy including ICE raids and tariffs. Messages focusing on Healthcare and Kids also resonate with key targets. <ol><li>MSNBC/CNN + programs overindexing to voters age 50+ </li><li>Streaming: Top-100 CTV publishers direct voter match</li></ol> PDI 26P5: [(Voted at least 1 of 6/18, 6/22 or 3/24), Or (Voted both of 3/20 and 11/22), Or (Registered since 11/20 and voted both 9/21 and 11/22)] &amp; to qualify for universe voter had to have voted 11/24 or any 2025 election or Re-Registered since 11/24. PDI 26P5: [(Voted at least 1 of 6/18, 6/22 or 3/24), Or (Voted both of 3/20 and 11/22), Or (Registered since 11/20 and voted both 9/21 and 11/22)] &amp; to qualify for universe voter had to have voted 11/24 or any 2025 election or Re-Registered since 11/24. Positive Messaging: <ol><li>(ANTI-CORRUPTION) Esther Kim-Varet believes Washington will not change until we stop letting lobbyists and special interests call the shots. Unlike career politicians like Young Kim and Ken Calvert, who have taken millions from corporate donors, Esther will not take a dime from corporate PACs and will always put our community first. In Congress, she will hold both parties accountable, crack down on corruption, and make sure taxpayer dollars help families instead of rewarding insiders and political allies.&nbsp;</li><li>(ANTI-TRUMP/ECON) Esther will fight back against Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans who are hurting the economy. She’ll protect Medicare, Medi-Cal, and Social Security from devastating cuts; defend funding for education, scientific research, and life-saving medical breakthroughs; and oppose Trump’s reckless tariffs that are raising prices on everyday goods for working families.&nbsp;</li><li>(HEALTHCARE) Esther believes no one should have to choose between seeing a doctor and paying the bills. As health care costs keep rising, she’ll fight in Congress to make care more affordable by lowering ACA premiums, reducing prescription drug prices, and protecting Medicare and Medi-Cal so working families can access the care they need.&nbsp;</li><li>(KIDS) As an educator and children’s advocate, Esther believes in investing in our kids at every stage of development. She has worked to reduce childhood poverty and teach creative arts to children, including those with learning disabilities. In Congress, Esther will fight to reverse Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans’ cuts to education, health care, and nutrition programs for kids, while expanding access to college, job training, and vocational programs that help them succeed.&nbsp;</li></ol><ul><li>Kim-Varet shows particular potential with Caucasian liberal Democrats and left-leaning NPPs.&nbsp; </li><li>Persuadable Latino voters include Latina women who are 18-54 year olds and born in the U.S. with English as their primary language.</li></ul>Esther's TV ads can be downloaded here: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333146451/">https://www.vimeo.com/estherforcongress/workingmom</a> Public domain B-roll video of Esther can be downloaded here: <a href="https://vimeo.com/1185262896/3e332cb8f5?share=copy&amp;fl=sv&amp;fe=ci">https://vimeo.com/1185262896/3e332cb8f5?share=copy&amp;fl=sv&amp;fe=ci</a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333146446">https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333146446</a> Photos of Esther can be downloaded here: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/</a>Videos of Esther speaking can be downloaded here: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333166534">https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333166534</a>B-roll video of Esther can be downloaded here: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333146446">https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333146446</a> Direct mail collateral images can be downloaded here: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333146456">https://www.flickr.com/photos/estherforcongress/albums/72177720333146456</a>

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<h3>April 20, 2026 Town Hall Recording</h3>

<h3>March 12, 2026 Town Hall Recording</h3>Esther and her campaign advisor Chuck Rocha answer questions from CA-40 voters about plans for engaging and mobilizing voters in the new District!

<h3>February 12, 2026 Town Hall Recording</h3>Esther hosted her first Town Hall event on February 12, 2026. This was also the first town hall for CA-40 voters in at least six years!

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<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/d02d48ca-3123-4291-a6f7-462c59c51795/d02d48ca-3123-4291-a6f7-462c59c51795.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C6240%2C4160&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="47.5" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">I’m running to represent California’s 40th District in Congress because we can’t keep electing the same cynical career politicians and expecting different results. I’m a working mom, an entrepreneur, and a problem solver. I don’t just talk — I roll up my sleeves and get things done. And I’m not afraid to fight hard for the issues that matter.<h4>My Story: Built on Grit and Determination</h4>Both sides of my family fled communist oppression in North Korea during the Korean War. After escaping on foot to South Korea, my grandmother, who lived with my family and helped to raise me, was a single mother selling rice and fixing umbrellas to feed her two young children.Through family reunification visas, my parents came to America with nothing but a few hundred dollar bills and the grit to pick themselves up after a string of failed business ventures including a shiitake mushroom farm and a scrap metal business. Eventually, my father succeeded in building a janitorial services company that employed hundreds of immigrants just like him.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/7261bbff-85e3-4e0c-912a-a7c816710871/7261bbff-85e3-4e0c-912a-a7c816710871.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1897%2C1880&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="32.5" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed">This is a picture of me, my brother Abraham, and my grandma in Richardson, Texas. I grew up Southern Baptist (so my brother and I received Biblical names). She raised us on stories of what it took to escape North Korea, three times. One of the most vivid descriptions I carry from her is how on her first attempt. She was 9 months pregnant with my father, eating bark off of trees to survive her journey.Can you imagine the grit and determination of a young mother fighting for a better life for her kids? I carry a lot of my grandmother with me every single day. I miss her dearly. My parents worked as janitors before starting their own janitorial business. My grandmother lived with us and spent the majority of my life being a caretaker in the family.I have two distinct memories from when I was 6. The first is my parents arguing in the kitchen about paying for my piano and drum lessons. The second is me negotiating my family's bill with the electricity company because no one else in the house spoke English. Experiences like that never leave you as an adult.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/2da95eb6-682d-446f-ba1d-2be6da549c9a/2da95eb6-682d-446f-ba1d-2be6da549c9a.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1512%2C1016&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">I was the first in my high school to attend an Ivy League university. At Yale, instead of becoming a lawyer or doctor like many children of immigrants, I fell in love with history and artists. I continued my art history studies as a Doctoral student and researcher at Columbia University, where fellow graduate workers organized to start a union to advocate for better wages. Our union, Graduate Student Workers of Columbia-UAW, was finally recognized in 2014.During this time, the fight for fighting for unseen labors in the creative and academic industry led me to turn my living room as an exhibition space to feature unknown artists in my community. Over time, I would build from scratch the livelihoods of dozens of living American artists as young as twenty-two and as old as eighty-two. Over and over again, I pursued a vision of the American Dream for myself and those around me. In 2024, The New York Times profiled my achievements and called me a visionary, but I’m just someone who believes in turning “impossible” into “done.”And I'm someone who puts my money where my mouth is. I've worked with the NRDC to push for stronger protections for clean air and clean water, supported food equity efforts to bring healthy and affordable food into underserved neighborhoods, and advocated for arts education because creativity and culture shouldn’t be limited to families who can afford private lessons or well-funded schools.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/7ecea063-10d8-4a3f-95bc-2a568cb79870/7ecea063-10d8-4a3f-95bc-2a568cb79870.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1756%2C1184&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="30" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">

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In my career, I’ve worked with Republicans and Democrats and everything in between. What I’ve learned is that common sense is our common ground.I’m not a politician. I’m a mom, a builder, and most importantly — a fighter for the next generation. At this crossroads in history, we need new leaders with stubborn integrity and a moral spine made of steel. It’s time for a more normal politics where our priorities are about maximizing prosperity for us all.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/15afad93-8403-4765-8a9d-c81c30a5af63/15afad93-8403-4765-8a9d-c81c30a5af63.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2700%2C3600&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">

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In my career, I’ve worked with Republicans and Democrats and everything in between. What I’ve learned is that common sense is our common ground.I’m not a politician. I’m a mom, a builder, and a fighter. At this crossroads in history, we need new leaders with stubborn integrity and responsible values, to restore stability and sanity to government.

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May 2026 CA40 poll just published in The New York Times shows Esther Kim-Varet in a statistical tie with GOP incumbents Young Kim and Ken Calvert Democrats, independents, and even fed-up Republicans are all uniting to help Esther finally flip CA40!

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Esther’s Top Issues

This is written by me, not some Washington consultant...My family fought hard to make their American Dream possible, but right now, that dream is out of reach for too many. In Congress, I will fight for common sense solutions and stand up for our values in Washington by supporting small businesses, expanding educational and economic opportunities, defending women’s reproductive rights, and protecting our planet for those that come after us.As I’ve been talking to my neighbors in the district over the last year, they’ve been concerned about cost of living and like me, they blame government corruption and corporate greed. These are my solutions as a working mom, business owner, and a fighter.<h4>Here’s how I’m going to roll up my sleeves and get real results for Southern California families:</h4><h4>Social Security and Seniors&nbsp;Issues</h4>The notion that Social Security is too costly to continue is a myth. We need to uphold our promise to Americans that they will be provided for after retirement and continuing to pay out Social Security benefits is a question of values. The amount Americans receive from Social Security is modest and sustainable.&nbsp;Women, minorities,&nbsp;Veterans,&nbsp;and&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;who are disabled would suffer the most if Social Security benefits are cut.&nbsp;All Americans deserve to live in dignity after retirement and everyone with a disability needs security. Defending the current Social Security program is not enough to ensure the future financial stability of later generations and that is why&nbsp;I support&nbsp;expanding and&nbsp;protecting&nbsp;Social Security&nbsp;in a number of ways: Increase the cost-of-living adjustments to account for rising costs of housing, healthcare, and prescription drugs for elderly Americans, and remove the&nbsp;maximum taxable earnings&nbsp;cap of $184,500&nbsp;so&nbsp;billionaires&nbsp;pay their fair share.<ul><li>Increase the contributions by&nbsp;large corporations that have enjoyed tax benefits at the expense of their low-wage&nbsp;and middle-wage&nbsp;employees.&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure that all eligible recipients will get the Social Security benefits they were promised.&nbsp;</li><li>Protect women who have employment gaps--because they left the workforce to raise families or take care of loved ones--from lower benefits.&nbsp;</li><li>Lift seniors with low incomes out of poverty by increasing their benefits to a livable amount.&nbsp;</li></ul><h4>Make Healthcare Affordable and Reduce Prescription Drug Costs</h4>Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege.&nbsp;I&nbsp;have helped my&nbsp;community access lifesaving healthcare and medicine, and I understand the challenges families face in affording care.I&nbsp;will take on&nbsp;the big insurance and pharmaceutical companies to rein in the high cost of healthcare and prescription drugs and&nbsp;stop&nbsp;efforts to cut Medicaid.&nbsp;Esther&nbsp;will continue to protect Medicare and Medicaid.I have seen relatives struggle to afford healthcare and friends set up fundraising pages to cover medical expenses after a tragic accident to cover surgeries. No one should get sicker because they can’t afford to go to the doctor or go into debt to pay their hospital bills. No one should have to choose between paying for their prescription drugs or rent.I am the only candidate in my race with a plan to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors, working families, and individuals. In Congress,&nbsp;I&nbsp;will introduce legislation to end "Pay-to-Delay," the scam where Big Pharma pays off smaller drug companies to keep their generic brands off the market so they can keep price gouging us.In Congress,&nbsp;I&nbsp;will push for Medicare - the nation's largest insurer - to negotiate all drug pricing.&nbsp;She&nbsp;will stop prescription drug price gouging and keep Big Pharma from using taxpayer dollars to fund their advertising campaigns, then writing it off on their corporate taxes.No one should face bankruptcy to pay for life-saving medicine. It's time we took on Big Pharma's greed and the cost of medicine for every family.&nbsp;<h4>Small Businesses</h4>We need to level the playing field for small businesses so they can grow and create jobs that will empower folks to save, afford to send their children to college, and retire. Small businesses are what built America and this district and they are under attack from a rapidly growing corporate presence in our country.&nbsp;We need to do the following:<ul><li>Reduce the tax burden on small businesses and simplify small business tax filing.</li><li>Repeal wasteful special interest subsidies that make it harder for entrepreneurs to raise capital, enter the market, and create jobs.</li><li>Ensure that folks who dream of owning a successful business have the opportunity to do so.&nbsp;</li><li>Guarantee that health insurance premiums do not force businesses to lay off employees.&nbsp;</li><li>Benefits and legal protections for workers.&nbsp;Working-class folks should be able to earn a living wage and be able to save for life’s unexpected emergencies. </li></ul><h4>Reduce Taxes on Working and Middle Class Families</h4>It is time that we value the hard earned dollars of everyday Americans over lining the pockets of the wealthy and corporations. We need to lower taxes for those who are already struggling to make ends meet, but more importantly we need to hold the ultra wealthy and corporations accountable for the taxes they owe. Better tax enforcement on the wealthy and oversight of corporate tax dodging would drastically reduce the deficit, allowing lower-income and middle-income Americans to pay less while still having the funds the government needs.&nbsp;America has one of the widest income gaps in the world, and we can promote a closing of this gap through a corporate tax plan. Companies with a high annual revenue in the hundreds of millions and a large income gap between their CEOs and median workers should be taxed at a higher rate. This would raise millions in tax dollars and encourage these wealthy companies to increase worker wages to avoid a tax increase.&nbsp; <h4>Veterans</h4>Supporting our veterans is a moral imperative. We must make sure that our veterans and their families receive necessary resources.According to Veterans Affairs (VA) internal data from October 2019 to June 2020, Veterans waited an average of 42 days for an appointment in the community, starting from the time they requested the appointment to the time of meeting. This is unacceptable. &nbsp; I will always be a champion for Veterans and military families, by fighting to:<ul><li>Expand access to mental health and addiction care.</li><li>Ensure that all returning Veterans and active-duty military are screened for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health and/or addiction challenges.</li><li>Increase outreach to Veterans to connect them with services.</li><li>Hire more mental health professionals within the VA and reduce the wait times for Veterans to get adequate mental health care.</li><li>End Veteran homelessness by making sure that every Veteran has access to safe, supportive housing.</li></ul><h4>Defending Democracy &amp; Curbing Corruption</h4>Institutionalized corruption in all three branches of our Federal government has put American Democracy at serious risk. We must recommit to the Constitution, root out corrupt actors, supersize the guardrails, restore public faith in government, reset the checks and balances, and make public service a privilege not a grift — and declare again that America has NO KINGS. Without transformative legislation and oversight to uphold our Constitutional Democracy and restore real representation to the people, America will continue drifting towards populist authoritarianism, in which case none of the other policies we want to achieve will be possible. In Congress, I will fight to advance and pass the following legislation:<ul><li>H.Res. 939 — Impeaching Donald J. Trump for High Crimes and Misdemeanors</li><li>The Freedom to Vote Act (FKA For the People Act)</li><li>John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act</li><li>The No Kings Act</li><li>Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act (to include POTUS/VP/SCOTUS)</li><li>No Corruption in Government Act</li><li>Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization (TERM) Act</li><li>Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act</li><li>Judiciary Act of 2023 (to expand SCOTUS to 13 justices)</li><li>U.S. Term Limits Amendment</li><li>District of Columbia Statehood Bill (FKA The Washington, D.C. Admission Act)</li><li>Reclaim Trade Powers Act</li><li>Repeal of the 1991, 2001, and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force</li><li>Legislation to reverse the harmful SCOTUS “Citizens United” ruling</li><li>Uncapping the House of Representatives</li></ul><h4>Middle-Class Majority</h4>When a large majority of American families and seniors are able to comfortably sustain middle class prosperity our nation will be stronger and wealthier for all. Let’s build from the middle class out and bring as many people as possible in. We must reaffirm the American Dream as an American Promise. As a small business owner, I’ve had sleepless nights worrying about employee payroll and rising expenses, just to keep my business open. I’ll work to lower costs for middle class families, make taxes fair, protect seniors, and ensure that quality healthcare is affordable. In Congress I will fight to advance and pass the following legislation:<ul><li>Repeal of The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025</li><li>Raise the Wage Act, with amendment to provide related tax credits to SMBs</li><li>Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act</li><li>Medicare for All Act</li><li>State-Based Universal Health Care Act</li><li>Carried Interest Fairness Act</li><li>Investing in All of America Act</li><li>LIONS Loans In Our Neighborhoods Act</li><li>Restructure property tax deduction to limit double taxation to 10% of taxable income</li><li>Reverse subsidies for purchasers of residential real estate units owned as investments</li><li>Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act</li></ul>Even $20&nbsp;an&nbsp;hour is not a living wage and is not enough to secure housing, especially not in most parts of California. According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, people need to earn $40.23 an hour to rent a one-bedroom apartment, and $49.61&nbsp;an hour to cover a two-bedroom apartment&nbsp;in Orange County. Affordable housing has become much harder to find in our district. We need to make sure that wages increase for families, and we need to ensure that there are enough affordable housing options in our district.I will fight for paid family and medical leave for all employees, because no one should be choosing between a job and supporting their family. I also recognize the need for fair and predictable scheduling to protect workers, which should be protected by legislation. <h4>Immigration Reform</h4>America is a nation of immigrants. Immigration has always been our superpower, the core source of our cultural and economic achievements, and the backbone of our history. Through misguided past policies and misplaced fears of labor displacement we have both lost control of our borders and lost our will to attract and integrate the world’s best and brightest. We must fix both and once again embrace immigration as the cornerstone of America’s purpose and prosperity. In order to achieve this, we will need to accept that the undocumented immigrants already living in the US, and their children, cannot and should not be removed other than for legitimate criminal justice or immigration law violation convictions. We must provide a clear and efficient path to amnesty and citizenship for the productive undocumented immigrants already established here and fully fund our federal government to increase the number of immigration judges, consular officers, naturalization officers, and fix the broken fee-for-service model. In Congress I will fight to advance and pass the following legislation:<ul><li>Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM) Act or The American Dream and Promise Act</li><li>The Dignity Act</li><li>The Immigration Visa Efficiency and Security Act</li><li>The U.S. Citizenship Act</li><li>Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929</li><li>Combating Law Enforcement Anonymity by Requiring Identification Disclosure (CLEAR ID) Act</li><li>Stop ICE from Kidnapping US Citizens Act </li></ul><h4>Climate Custodianship</h4>Nearly half of CA-40 consists of the Cleveland National Forest. Pollution and climate change threaten not only our national forests, but our health, our homes, and our quality of life. My husband Joseph and I have been personally supportive of conservation and climate nonprofits for over a decade, including traveling to DC to lobby Members of Congress as a volunteer. In Congress, I’ll continue to demand responsible science-based solutions that keep America competitive and Americans protected. In Congress I will fight to advance, revive, and pass the following legislation:<ul><li>Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act</li><li>End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act</li><li>End Polluter Welfare Act</li><li>Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act</li><li>Wildfire Smoke Relief Act</li><li>Saving Natural Ecosystems and Marine Organisms (NEMO) Act</li><li>Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act</li><li>Repeal of Trump Administration executive orders and restoration of the full scope of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA, and other climate and environmental protection federal agencies</li><li>Restoring the federal lands and water that Trump illegally gave away to mining and other private interests</li></ul><h4>Educational Excellence</h4>All children deserve teachers like those I was lucky to have. America needs to prioritize rigor, innovation and affordability in education for children and adults alike, including training and compensation of teachers — this is the best investment that we as a nation can make. In Congress I will fight to advance and pass the following legislation:<ul><li>Enhance Access to SNAP (EATS) Act</li><li>American Teacher Act (establish $60,000 as nationwide minimum teacher salary)</li><li>Supporting America’s Young Entrepreneurs Act</li><li>Generating Relief for Academic Debt Using Assisted Tax Efficiency (GRADUATE) Act</li><li>Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 </li></ul><h4>Reproductive Rights &amp; Gender Equality</h4>Every woman in every state should have safe access to abortion, contraception, and IVF. I had abortions at 21 and 41, and when people ask me why, I tell them it's none of their business. I believe these decisions should be between a woman and her doctor, and nobody else. In Congress I will fight to advance and pass the following legislation:<ul><li>Right to Contraception Act</li><li>Women’s Health Protection Act</li><li>Ensuring Access to Abortion Act</li><li>Right to IVF Act</li><li>Joint resolution to remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment</li><li>Equality Act </li></ul><h4>Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention</h4>Our children deserve to grow up safe and free from the threat of gun violence. For too long, politicians have failed to act, allowing the NRA and the gun lobby to block even the most basic safety measures. I believe in responsible gun ownership — but automatic weapons have no place in civilian hands. Just as we regulate cars to protect public safety, we must do the same with firearms.In Congress I will fight to advance and pass the following legislation:<ul><li>Assault Weapons Ban</li><li>Universal Background Checks Act</li><li>Ethan’s Law (safe storage requirements)</li><li>Federal Red Flag Law</li><li>Repeal of the NRA’s tax-exempt status</li><li>Funding for gun violence prevention research</li></ul>

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People With Bios

Congressional Asian Pacific American caucus political ACTION committee

ASPIRE

National resources defense council action fund

NRDC Action Fund

"a progressive, pro-choice, multi-partisan, grassroots membership organization"

National Women's Political Caucus

Vote Mama PAC

South Orange County Young Democrats

Orange county's leading democratic political commentary publication

The Truth OC

US SENATOR (NJ)

Sen. Andy Kim

US CONGRESSMAN (CA-31)

Rep. Gil Cisneros

US CONGRESSWOMAN (TX-30)

Rep. Jasmine Crockett

US Congresswoman (CA-30)

Rep. Laura Friedman

US Congresswoman (CA-18) &amp; chair, california democratic congressional delegation

Rep. Zoe Lofgren

US CONGRESSWOMAN (NY-06)

Rep. Grace Meng

US Congresswoman (WA-10)

Rep. Marilyn Strickland

CA STATE senator (sd-38)

Sen. Catherine Blakespear

California state senator (sd-30) chair of military &amp; veterans affairs committee

Sen. Bob Archuleta

CA Assemblymember (AD-67)

Asm. Sharon Quirk-Silva

Lake elsinore Mayor pro tem

Tim Sheridan

Former Orange county US Congressman

Rep. Harley Rouda (ret.)

Former US congressman

Rep. Dean Phillips (ret.)

Director, ca working families party and candidate for ca insurance commissioner

Jane Kim

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In my career, I’ve worked with Republicans and Democrats and everything in between. What I’ve learned is that common sense is our common ground.I’m not a politician. I’m a mom, a builder, and a fighter. At this crossroads in history, we need new leaders with stubborn integrity and responsible values, to restore stability and sanity to government.

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Latest CA40 poll, from Tulchin Research, was just published in The New York Times, showing Esther Kim-Varet in a statistical tie with GOP incumbents Young Kim and Ken CalvertDemocrats, independents, and even fed-up Republicans are all uniting to help Esther finally flip CA40!

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Young Kim rubber stamps an extreme agenda. She voted against bills to deliver millions in investments for Southern California and funding for our small businesses.&nbsp; In her last four years in Congress, Young Kim’s voting record shows that over and over again, she’s helped fuel the high cost of living all the while stripping us more and more of our p

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Esther for Congress — Esther Kim-Varet is the Democrat running to flip California's 40th District. Working mom, daughter of refugee janitors, fighter. June 2.

Esther for Congress | Esther Kim-Varet, CA-40 Democrat

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<h3>Lawsuit Contests Joe Kerr’s Congressional Ballot Designation As Illegal</h3>COTO DE CAZA, CA — Esther Kim-Varet, frontrunner to flip California’s 40th Congressional District, today announced that she has filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate in Sacramento Superior Court to block Democratic opponent Joe Kerr from using an illegal ballot designation in the June 2, 2026 primary election. Kerr was served a summons at his Coto de Caza, CA home on March 20th, with an emergency hearing scheduled for 10:30am PT March 26th before Judge Stephen Acquisto.The petition, filed by leading election law firm Olson Remcho, LLP, presents overwhelming evidence that Kerr has held at least six separate paid positions since leaving the fire department fourteen years ago — including roles as director and secretary of a Nevada wildfire consulting corporation that paid him nearly $400,000 in salary over an 18-month period, a state-appointed water board director, a full-time COVID vaccination site worker, a union business agent and consultant, and the President of a company that was twice cited and ordered by the State of California to cease unlawful marketing of its securities to investors.Under California law, a candidate may not use the word “retired” in a ballot designation if the candidate has had a more recent, intervening principal profession, vocation, or occupation. Kerr has had at least six. “Joe Kerr has been lying to voters, and we won’t let him get away with it,” said Esther Kim-Varet. “While I respect his past service, Kerr left the fire department fourteen years ago, and has since held a string of paid consulting jobs and corporate officerships, including nearly $400,000 in salary from a Nevada corporation. Calling yourself ‘Retired’ after all of that is simply dishonest. The residents of CA-40 deserve integrity and honesty from those who serve them in Congress, and that’s exactly what I’ll deliver.” <h3>A Pattern of Deception</h3>Since taking early retirement in 2012 at just 52 years old from his admirable service with fire department, Kerr has repeatedly provided dishonest statements to the California Secretary of State and county registrars in order to justify a ballot designation he is not legally entitled to use, in connection with his various unsuccessful candidacies for public office.&nbsp;In 2022, when the Secretary of State questioned the legality of his ballot designation, Kerr responded via email dishonestly downplaying each of his six post-retirement jobs: describing a six-figure corporate salary as “occasional phone calls,” a decade-long union role as “attending some meetings,” and a gubernatorial board appointment as a minor Zoom commitment. He omitted two other jobs entirely. In every case, his own financial disclosures tell a very different story.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​While Kerr told the Secretary of State that his role at Rapid Response to Carbon Ignition (RRCI) involved only occasional phone calls, his U.S. House Financial Disclosure Report reveals that RRCI paid him $207,555 in 2022 and $180,000 in the first half of 2023 alone — a total of approximately $387,555 in salary over just 18 months.Similarly, while Kerr minimized his work for the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association, a 2020 state press release described him as having been “a business agent at the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association since 2012”, a paid position he held for nearly a decade after his supposed retirement. His campaign website’s bio page states that he was a President of the organization.“The right of voters in California’s 40th Congressional District to be accurately informed about the candidates who seek to represent them, and to not be misled by materials issued by the State and county, will be irreparably injured if Kerr is permitted to use the ballot designation,” wrote Kim-Varet’s attorneys Margaret Prinzing and Andrew Werbrock of Olson Remcho LLP in their March 20th Superior Court petition. <h3>Perennial Loser, Serial Liar</h3>Joe Kerr is not a viable candidate for Congress. He is a perennial candidate who has failed in every one of his many bids for various elected offices. In 2024, Kerr lost his <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?committee_id=C00840041&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2024&amp;cycle=2024&amp;line_number=F3-13A&amp;data_type=processed">mostly self-funded</a> bid for CA-40 to Republican Young Kim by a wide margin, after being outspent nearly 10-to-1, despite having accepted funding from corporations and foreign interest PACs.Kerr’s record of skirting the law extends beyond willful violation of ballot designation rules. In 2011 and then again in 2014, the State of California issued a citation and order to cease and desist against Superior Traffic Controls, Inc. (originally LLC), a Nevada corporation of which Kerr was President (and against Kerr personally in 2014!), for the unlawful offer and sale of securities.<h3>MAGA Consultants Running a “Democrat” Spoiler</h3>Kerr’s Virginia-based sole campaign consultants, <a href="https://www.i77strategies.com">i77 Strategies</a> received an astounding <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00840041/?tab=spending#total-disbursements">79% of all disbursements</a> from Kerr’s failed 2024 CA40 campaign. Other than Kerr, i77 <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/disbursements/?data_type=processed&amp;recipient_name=I77&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2026&amp;min_date=01/01/2025&amp;max_date=12/31/2026">exclusively advises MAGA Republican candidates</a>. i77 partner Aaron Spradlin serves as Kerr’s campaign treasurer. i77 partner Jeffrey Hoeflich-Nickels is <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/point-of-friction-pac/C00886846/summary/2024">Treasurer of a PAC registered with the FEC</a> to support “Republican/Conservative” candidates, and has posted on his <a href="https://x.com/jeffreynickels?s=21">personal X account</a> many Trump/MAGA endorsements including “SAVE AMERICA! Vote Trump/Vance” (on 10/28/24) and “PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT!” (On 2/19/26). Spradlin and Hoeflich-Nickels and their spouses <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?committee_id=C00840041&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2024&amp;min_amount=$2,000.00">all maxed out as donors</a> to Kerr’s 2024 campaign. <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/disbursements/?data_type=processed&amp;recipient_name=I77&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2026&amp;min_date=01/01/2025&amp;max_date=12/31/2026">FEC records confirm</a> that Kerr is the only non-Republican candidate affiliated with i77 Stategies. <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H2CA40084/?tab=spending#disbursement-transactions">In 2022 i77 ran</a> <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/greg-raths-campaign-website-lindsey-graham">Greg Raths</a>, a far-right Republican and noted bigot against Young Kim in the CA-40 primary. Read that again. Yes, Kerr’s campaign is controlled by MAGA consultants who previously ran a far-right Republican in the same district.It gets even worse. <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00865717/?tab=about-committee">FEC records reveal</a> that i77 co-founder Hoeflich-Nickels served as treasurer of Flip the 40th, a Super PAC that i77 created out of its own Roanoke, Virginia PO Box to spend in the 2024 CA-40 race — the same race i77 was simultaneously being paid to manage as Kerr’s campaign consultants. The PAC raised donor money and paid it right back to i77 for the same texting and digital advertising services the campaign was already paying them for — including a single October 2024 disbursement of over $121,000. Federal law requires strict independence between campaigns and Super PACs; operating both from the same two-person firm at the same mailing address with money flowing in both directions constitutes farcical disregard of campaign finance laws.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​When your campaign is a front for a MAGA firm, unable to raise money, built on lies, and structured for grift — you are not a Democrat. You are a fraudulent spoiler.<h3>Kerr’s Former Field Director Defects to Kim-Varet</h3>Esther Kim-Varet also today announced that Harrison Levitan has joined her campaign as Field Director. Levitan previously served as Field Director for Joe Kerr’s campaign during the 2024 CA-40 general election — and has now joined the only campaign with the resources, strategy, and integrity to actually flip this seat.“I worked for Joe Kerr in 2024 and saw firsthand what happens when a campaign can’t compete,” said Levitan. “Esther Kim-Varet has the courage to call out corruption in CA-40 and she will bring that same fight to Washington.”<h3>Court Deadline: 5PM on March 26, 2026</h3>The Sacramento Superior Court must act by March 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM — the deadline for the Secretary of State to transmit the certified list of eligible candidates and ballot designations to county elections officials. Kim-Varet’s legal team has asked the court to prohibit Kerr from using any designation related to his prior vocations from over a decade ago.“Each of these serious issues — the willfully fraudulent ballot designation, the securities violations, the MAGA consultants, serial failure as a perennial candidate — are individually disqualifying,” said Kim-Varet. “Together, sadly they reveal that Kerr is a candidate who has no business running for Congress. CA-40 deserves a Representative who can actually defeat incumbents Young Kim and Ken Calvert, who will fight relentlessly to root out corruption from all three branches of the Federal government. The path to a better tomorrow for our community and our nation starts with confronting corruption today — on both sides of the aisle.” ### California’s newly drawn 40th Congressional District, spanning portions of Riverside County and Orange County, is one of the most consequential U.S. House district battlegrounds in the nation. CA-40 includes the cities of Rancho Santa Margarita, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Canyon Lake as well as parts of Mission Viejo, Orange, Anaheim and Corona.First-time candidate Esther Kim-Varet has raised over $2.75 million to date, powered by over 50,000 individual small dollar contributions from across the nation, with no corporate or foreign PAC money whatsoever. Esther is not a politician — she is a working mom of two young kids, running for Congress to restore the American Dream for all. In Congress, Esther will combat corruption, defend democracy, and fight for the middle class, small businesses, public education, and healthcare access.

Lawsuit Contests Kerr’s Congressional Ballot Designation As Illegal Esther Kim-Varet, frontrunner to flip California’s 40th Congressional District, today announced that she has filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate in Sacramento Superior Court to block Democratic opponent Joe Kerr from using an illegal ballot designation in the June 2, 2026 primary election.

Kim-Varet Sues To Prevent Opponent From Deceiving CA-40 Voters

Kim’s BBB Vote Eviscerates Key Services to Cut Taxes for Top 1%; Extends Trump SALT CapTustin, CA – Today, MAGA Republican Young Kim cast a deciding vote for the BBB, the centerpiece of Trump’s policy agenda in Congress. The vote was 218-214, a razor-thin margin showing how unpopular several key provisions of the bill are. Kim voted for the bill despite months of protests against this bill in all parts of California’s 40th Congressional district.“Young Kim can try to pretend she’s a moderate, but she has shown time and again that she’s a partisan hack,” said Esther Kim Varet. “She lied about holding the line to support Medicare and our seniors. She lied about holding the line to stop Californians from being taxed extra, extending Trump’s SALT cap. Voters of California’s 40th district are sick of MAGA Republican Young Kim’s lies - and we are building a movement to stop her.”The bill includes provisions to:<ul><li>EXTEND the 2017 Trump SALT cap that imposes extra property taxes on already costly Californian homes</li><li>CUT more than $1 Trillion from Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, leaving nearly 17 million Americans uninsured</li><li>CUT children’s medical insurance and leave them with gap periods in insurance</li><li>CUT federal funding for Medicaid payments to hospitals and other providers by nearly $150 billion, resulting in hospital closures</li><li>DEFUND Planned Parenthood, leaving more than 1.1 million women without access to needed care like cancer screenings and birth control</li><li>REMOVE elderly and disabled people who need long-term care from their homes if their home value has increased</li><li>CUT taxes for the top 1% of income earners and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/us/politics/republican-tax-bill-trump.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RAISE TAXES on the middle class</a></li><li>Give $75 Billion to <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/columnists/attytood/ice-dhs-trump-budget-deportations-wnba-20250701.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">build Trump’s family-separating gulags</a> and increase masked kidnappings of citizens and green card holders </li></ul>### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 2.5x. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

Kim’s BBB Vote Eviscerates Key Services to Cut Taxes for Top 1%; Extends Trump SALT Cap

Young Kim Votes To Cut Healthcare for 17 Million American Citizens &amp; Extend Property Tax Hike On CA

In a 4th Attack in 3 Weeks, NRCC Lies Again About CA-40 Democratic Frontrunner; Kim Varet Remains the Candidate Most Attacked by NRCCTustin, CA -&nbsp;The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is once again spreading lies about Esther Kim Varet, in a clear sign that they fear her momentum in this race. This time, the NRCC attacked Kim Varet to blatantly lie about her position on government benefits.&nbsp;“While extreme MAGA Rep. Young Kim backs Donald Trump’s dangerous agenda of illegally detaining lawful residents and shredding due process, I will fight to make sure our constitutional rights are upheld and to keep our communities safe,” said Esther Kim Varet. “Young Kim and National Republicans can attack freedom of speech as much as they want to – that just shows how far they’ve come from the party of Reagan. NRCC’s position is so reactionary that my common sense centrism seems radical to them — truth is that the NRCC’s rabid desperation to attack me simply reflects the sad capitulation of traditional Republican principles to the cult of Trump.”###California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 2.5x.Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety.CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

In a 4th Attack in 3 Weeks, NRCC Lies Again About CA-40 Democratic Frontrunner; Kim Varet Remains the Candidate Most Attacked by NRCC

National Republican Congressional Committee Attacks Esther Kim Varet, Again

Rep. Kim Blatantly Lies to Constituents by Voting for Republican Budget, CUTTING Medicaid and MEDICARETustin, CA – Last night, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed among the most destructive&nbsp; budgets in American history on a razor thin vote of 215 - 214. Rep. Young Kim cast the deciding vote for the bill, which decimates Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and MEDICARE in order to&nbsp; increase America’s debt and lower taxes for the wealthiest 1% of Americans. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says that the bill would <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/21/medicare-cuts-big-beautiful-bill-republicans-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">cut $500 billion to Medicare</a>, a critical program for seniors and people with disabilities.&nbsp; Rep. Young Kim is also on record saying that <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2025/04/16/medicaid-cuts-will-not-get-rep-young-kims-support-in-federal-budget-process/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Medicaid cuts will not get her support in the federal budget process</a>. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that last night’s legislation would cause <a href="/api/pdf?filepath=https%3A%2F%2Fdemocrats-energycommerce.house.gov%2Fsites%2Fevo-subsites%2Fdemocrats-energycommerce.house.govevo-media-document%2Fcbo-emails-re-e%2526c-reconcilation-scores-may-11%252C-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">8.6 million more Americans to be uninsured by the end of the decade, while cutting Medicaid by more than $700 billion</a>; Young Kim blatantly lied to support Trump over her constituents: Lie: <img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/b04e14d1-e5ff-4025-be85-46db6aab94ed/b04e14d1-e5ff-4025-be85-46db6aab94ed.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1384%2C530&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="42.5" variant="base">Reality:<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/368cc794-2194-44df-af0e-ca316bb3263f/368cc794-2194-44df-af0e-ca316bb3263f.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1558%2C480&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="35" variant="base">“Time and again, Young Kim shows us that she will make the difference to bring Trump over the finish line regardless of the devastation it causes her own constituents, and blatantly lie to do so,” said Esther Kim Varet. “Rep. Kim is literally on record saying she won’t vote for Medicaid cuts, yet she caved to be the swing vote, passing a bill that makes severe cuts. Rep. Kim critically sold out our seniors by supporting a bill that cuts $500 billion to Medicare. We are tired of the lies and the lopsided budget priorities. As our Representative, I will not lie to my constituents, or cut taxes for the very wealthiest Americans, while cutting programs my constituents need.” Earlier this year, at Trump’s urging, Young Kim voted for a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-budget-vote-speaker-johnson-trump-agenda-rcna193626" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">party-line budget bill</a> that <a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-republican-house-budget-resolutions-potential-880-billion-in-medicaid-cuts-by-congressional-district/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">axed $1.33B in healthcare funding for CA-40 alone</a>, which resulted in the loss of healthcare for 41,000 CA-40 residents.&nbsp; ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 3.2x. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

Rep. Kim Blatantly Lies to Constituents by Voting for Republican Budget, CUTTING Medicaid and MEDICARE

Young Kim Casts Deciding Vote for Trump, Again

MAGA Rep. Kim Takes $238K (And Counting) From Fossil Fuel Industry; Earns an “F-” from Environmental GroupsTustin, CA – Today, mom, business owner, environmental advocate, and candidate for Congress Esther Kim Varet published MAGA Republican Young Kim’s record on the environment, which includes: <ul><li>Receiving <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/young-kim/industries?cid=N00042386&amp;cycle=CAREER" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">over $238,000</a> from the oil and gas industries</li><li>Voting to <a href="https://www.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/cracking-down-on-oil-industry-price-gouging-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">allow oil companies to price gouge</a></li><li>Voting to allow <a href="https://www.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/protecting-people-from-pfas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">toxic chemicals in our water</a>, <a href="https://www.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/blocking-funding-for-environmental-justice/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">air, and beaches</a></li><li><a href="https://www.lcv.org/roll-call-vote/leasing-more-public-lands-and-waters-for-oil-drilling/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Leasing more public lands and waters for drilling</a> </li></ul>For these actions - and many more - <a href="https://www.lcv.org/moc/young-kim/?active_tab=scorecard" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Young Kim has earned a 17% score</a> (“F-”), from the League of Conservation Voters, a national environmental advocacy organization. “On this Earth Day, it’s important to remember that California’s 40th district is currently saddled with a representative in Congress who spends her time trying to pollute our planet and make it harder for the children of this district - including my own children - to have clean air and water,” said Esther Kim Varet. “Young Kim is bought and sold by the oil and gas industry and votes the way they tell her to vote, period. We should all be ashamed to have her as our representative. Clean air and water are fragile resources that we all depend on. Pollution and climate change threaten our health, our homes, and our quality of life. In Congress, I’ll fight for responsible science-based solutions that keep America competitive and Americans protected.”&nbsp; Kim Varet adds: “What self-respecting Korean gets an F grade, in anything? That’s just embarrassing!” ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

MAGA Rep. Kim Sells Out By Taking $238K (And Counting) From Fossil Fuel Industry; Earns an “F-” from Environmental Groups

Young Kim Celebrates Earth Day By Selling Out to Oil and Gas

Kim-Varet’s recent internal poll projects that she will clear the primary with a wide margin, advancing to the November general election in a statistical dead heat with either of CA-40’s two Republican incumbents.Kim-Varet reported 9,386 individual contributions in Q4. In January 2026, she received 5,238 additional contributions for a total of 47,391 individual contributions for the cycle.COTO DE CAZA, CA — Esther Kim-Varet’s campaign to flip California’s 40th Congressional District received another huge boost from the latest FEC campaign finance disclosures. Kim-Varet’s campaign took in $2,363,643 in 2025, with an average donation of $28.91. The last quarter of 2025 closed out strong with $244,331 of contribution receipts. Kim-Varet ended 2025 with $1,161,617 of cash, more than 14X the cash-on-hand position of either of her remaining Democratic opponents.Democratic candidate Lisa Ramirez ended 2025 with $81,893 cash-on-hand. 40% of Ramirez’s 4th quarter contribution receipts came from Ramirez herself. The other Democratic candidate Joe Kerr ended 2025 with $9,789 cash-on-hand.In the first month of 2026, Kim-Varet’s viral social media accounts have averaged $8,000 a day in donations, with a new donation every 8 minutes. There have been 30 million visitors to her accounts in the last 30 days alone. Kim-Varet is the only candidate in CA-40 with a campaign ready for political warfare in the digital age.Young Kim and Ken Calvert, the two corrupt MAGA incumbent Republicans both competing for the CA-40 seat, reported ending 2025 with cash positions of $5.5 million and $3.4 million respectively.Despite the current cash advantage of the Republicans, Kim-Varet’s campaign released last week a significant new poll of 800 likely CA-40 voters that <a href="https://x.com/estherkimvaret/status/2016963117696335974?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">shows Kim-Varet TIED in a general election matchup against either Young Kim or Ken Calvert</a>. The same poll projects Kim-Varet easily advancing to the general election. In a simulated June primary, Kim-Varet advances with 30% of likely voters, compared to 11% for all other Democratic and Independent candidates combined.“Our latest polling data and fundraising results tell a clear story,” said Esther Kim-Varet. “In what was until now considered by many to be a safe Republican seat, polls show that I am already dead-even with the incumbents. My experience as an entrepreneurial small business owner helped me to build an innovative campaign that can actually achieve the visibility and funding needed to unite CA-40’s Democrats and connect with its large number of Independent voters. Let’s be for real: defeating the two deep-pocketed corrupt Republican incumbents running in this new district will require not only boldness, creativity, and integrity — but also substantial funding, media reach, and name recognition. Our campaign is the only one in this race with a viable path to flipping CA-40.”Kim-Varet has received a string of high-profile endorsements, most recently from Rep. Jasmine Crockett, as well as state and local leaders, current and former members of Congress, and national organizations including the Congressional AAPI Caucus PAC. With Kim-Varet’s viral social media reach of over 30 million people in the past month alone, and support from more than 47,000 individual campaign contributions to date, her campaign is positioned to retire not one but two corrupt MAGA incumbents from Congress this November.###California’s newly drawn 40th Congressional District, spanning portions of Riverside County and Orange County, is one of the most consequential U.S. House district battlegrounds in the nation. CA-40 includes the cities of Rancho Santa Margarita, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Canyon Lake as well as parts of Mission Viejo, Orange, Anaheim and Corona.First-time candidate Esther Kim-Varet has raised more than $2.5 million to date powered by over 47,000 small dollar contributions from across the nation and from every city and town in CA-40. Esther is not a politician — she is a working mom of two young kids, running for Congress to restore the American Dream for all. In Congress, Esther will combat corruption, defend democracy, and fight for the middle class, small businesses, public education, and healthcare access

Kim-Varet’s recent internal poll projects that she will clear the primary with a wide margin, advancing to the November general election in a statistical dead heat with either of CA-40’s two Republican incumbents.

Esther Kim-Varet Holds Massive 14 to 1 Cash Advantage; New Poll Shows She Has Put CA-40 In Play

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Tulchin Research Poll projects primary tie between Kim-Varet and Calvert.</h4><h4 style="text-align: center;">Kim-Varet is the only Democrat with a paid media campaign, putting CA-40 district in play. Poll projects Democrats boxed-out by vote splitting in any other scenario, for the only U.S. House contest in the nation with two incumbent Republicans. </h4>RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA. A Tulchin Research <a href="https://estherkimvaret-com.jmailroute.net/x/d?c=50930998&amp;l=562ec71c-81fe-40aa-a865-f49541840b34&amp;r=6e62e2fe-7e87-4d1c-aaa9-3a43aff688ad" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">poll of 800 likely CA-40 voters</a>, commissioned by Esther Kim-Varet for Congress, confirms Democrats have only one path to the November general election in California’s 40th Congressional District, the only House district in the nation whose contest includes two incumbent Republican Representatives.<h4>Tulchin Research’s poll tested three primary scenarios.</h4>In two of them, both Ken Calvert and Young Kim advance to the general election, with Democrats boxed out of a must-win seat. In the third scenario, Esther Kim-Varet advances to face Ken Calvert in the general election. The Esther Kim-Varet campaign is the <a href="https://estherkimvaret-com.jmailroute.net/x/d?c=50930998&amp;l=01733e40-3293-44c2-b089-20efcbe4c345&amp;r=6e62e2fe-7e87-4d1c-aaa9-3a43aff688ad" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">only campaign to have the resources needed to execute an actual paid communication campaign</a> and advance to the general campaign. <img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/88918421-6032-4a7c-b4ad-e4a9271fd22d/88918421-6032-4a7c-b4ad-e4a9271fd22d.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2979%2C1446&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed">Scenario 1: No substantive paid communication by any Democratic campaign. The Democratic vote splits several ways against unknown candidates, with most voters going only by the names and designations printed on their ballots. Calvert 25%, Young Kim 21%. Kim-Varet is in a statistical tie with two other Democrats. Both Republicans advance to the general election.Scenario 2: Voters hear all candidates’ biographies. Kim-Varet surges to 21% and takes the Democratic lead. It is not enough. Both Republicans still advance.Scenario 3: Esther Kim-Varet is the only challenger candidate with a paid-media campaign, communicating her bio and messaging to likely primary voters. Kim-Varet rises to get 30% of the vote. Calvert is statistically tied with Kim-Varet for first place at 29%. Young Kim collapses to 20% and is displaced from November, outside the margin of error. This is the only scenario per the poll in which any Democrat makes the November ballot, and <a href="https://estherkimvaret-com.jmailroute.net/x/d?c=50930998&amp;l=b2e89a64-fd42-454f-b95e-75f2943345f5&amp;r=6e62e2fe-7e87-4d1c-aaa9-3a43aff688ad" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this is the exact scenario now playing out in CA-40</a>. Kim-Varet is the only Democrat in the race with a paid media campaign or the resources to deploy one. <img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/3e98b418-8a24-4342-87a2-35523540a0f8/3e98b418-8a24-4342-87a2-35523540a0f8.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2284%2C1555&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed"><h4>Kim-Varet has more cash on hand today than all other Democrats in the race have raised from external donors combined since they entered this race.</h4>Kim-Varet’s <a href="https://estherkimvaret-com.jmailroute.net/x/d?c=50930998&amp;l=b2e89a64-fd42-454f-b95e-75f2943345f5&amp;r=6e62e2fe-7e87-4d1c-aaa9-3a43aff688ad" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">first TV advertisement</a>, produced by ArmourEvans (the firm that advised successful OC challenger candidate Rep. Derek Tran in Orange County last cycle), debuted on April 17 and is now airing across the district. Weekly direct mail is dropping to nearly 50,000 Democratic primary voters, a district-wide text messaging program, 2,500 field signs across CA-40, and 200 trained volunteers are all already deployed, in advance of the start of primary mail-in voting in early May.<h4>Republicans realize that Kim-Varet can and will flip the new 40th District.</h4>This week, the Republican Party of Riverside County warned members across all of its communication channels that “radical liberal” Esther Kim-Varet “is coming for this seat” and called on Republicans to rally around Ken Calvert as the only person who can “stop her.” Republicans have read the Tulchin poll. They have read the FEC filings. They know which Democrat is the threat. <img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/4d689a8f-19a9-41d9-ba8a-949e12fb0b31/4d689a8f-19a9-41d9-ba8a-949e12fb0b31.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1174%2C275&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"> “The numbers don't lie, and the stakes could not be higher,” said Esther Kim-Varet. “I am the only Democrat in this race with the resources, the organization, and the paid media reach it will take to prevail in this primary. The local Republican Party already knows I can flip this district given the fractured 'jungle primary' math, and they are sounding the alarm. They are right to be scared.” ###California’s newly drawn 40th Congressional District, spanning portions of Riverside County and Orange County, is one of the most consequential U.S. House battlegrounds in the nation. CA-40 is the only district in America where two Republican incumbents (Young Kim and Ken Calvert) are running against each other in the primary. First-time candidate Esther Kim-Varet has raised nearly $3 million powered by more than 60,000 grassroots small-dollar contributions. Esther is a working mom of two and a small business owner running for Congress to restore the American Dream. In Congress, Esther will combat corruption, defend democracy, and fight for the middle class, small businesses, public education, and healthcare access.

Tulchin Research Poll projects primary tie between Kim-Varet and Calvert,&nbsp;Kim-Varet is the only Democrat with a paid media campaign, putting the district in play. Poll projects Democrats boxed-out by vote splitting in any other scenario, for the only U.S. House contest in the nation with two incumbent Republicans.

Only One Democrat Can Stop Dual-Republican November Ballot in CA-40

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“This isn’t what we worked for. Prices are up, and the stock market is shaky — all thanks to Republicans in D.C. like Young Kim,” states another ad in Chinese.

DCCC targets California Asian American voters in first paid ads of 2026 cycle

Kim Varet Remains The Only Viable Candidate Challenging Young Kim; Pledges That Her Campaign Will Accept No Corporate PAC ContributionsTustin, CA – Today, CA-40 mom and small business owner Esther Kim Varet announced that in the race to unseat MAGA Republican Young Kim - as of the end of Q2 2025 - she has: <ul><li>raised more than 2x the combined CA-40 Democratic field,&nbsp;</li><li>raised more than 3x any other CA-40 Democratic campaign, and&nbsp;</li><li>has more than 4x the cash on hand of any other Democratic challenger </li></ul><img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/a53749cb-c23a-4c76-a334-817fe4b02803/a53749cb-c23a-4c76-a334-817fe4b02803.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2160%2C2160&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="50" variant="base"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/c035f86b-7dee-4d26-9d0a-9a7480e1b954/c035f86b-7dee-4d26-9d0a-9a7480e1b954.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2160%2C2160&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="50" variant="base">Kim Varet outpaced the other campaigns while taking $0 in corporate PAC contributions, despite being the only campaign in the CA-40 race that has pledged to reject corporate contributions. MAGA Republican Young Kim is funded by numerous substantial contributions from corporations and industry groups that she is supposed to oversee as a member of the House Financial Services Committee, direct evidence of her shameless ‘pay to play’ corruption. According to <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/young-kim/industries?cid=N00042386&amp;cycle=2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OpenSecrets</a>, Kim has taken almost $1.5M from the finance industry and $140K from fossil fuel polluters. Just a sampling of Rep. Kim’s major corporate donors in Q2 2025 include: State Farm, Wells Fargo, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Citigroup, PG&amp;E, KPMG, Google, Ernst &amp; Young, PWC, Cox, and Chevron. “The reality, in the wake of Citizens United, is that flipping swing district seats like CA-40 requires winning a fundraising war. In her last election, Young Kim had a 500%+ funding advantage vs her Democratic opponent, which allowed her to retain her seat despite obvious duplicity and shameless corruption. We cannot let that happen again. Mine is the only campaign in this race with the fundraising viability to unseat Young Kim, help pull the emergency brake on the Trump train wreck, and restore sanity to America,” said Esther Kim Varet. “Together with my coalition of patriotic CA-40 Democrat, independent, and Republican voters and donors, we will flip CA-40 next November and win back the House majority.” ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 2.5x. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

Kim Varet Remains The Only Viable Candidate Challenging Young Kim; Pledges That Her Campaign Will Accept No Corporate PAC Contributions

Esther Kim Varet Again Far Outpaces Combined CA-40 Democratic Field

<h4>Announces Campaign Team</h4>Tustin, CA – Today, CA-40 entrepreneur, mother, and first-generation immigrant Esther Kim Varet announced that she has raised over $350k in the first 10 days of her campaign. The impressive fundraising haul comes along with the news that Kim Varet has rounded out her campaign team with veterans of Orange County politics who have a record of defeating incumbent MAGA Congresswoman Young Kim.Kim Varet, who was profiled in <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2025/02/04/los-angeles-art-dealer-esther-kim-varet-launches-bid-for-californias-40th-congressional-district/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Orange County Register</a>, is a community job creator and a supporter of affordable healthcare. She stands in stark contrast with Young Kim, whose <a href="https://theliberaloc.com/2024/10/21/korean-american-association-of-senior-citizens-files-lawsuit-accusing-young-kims-husband-of-embezzelment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">corruption scandals</a> and support of MAGA policies to slash health care has listed her as one of the most vulnerable Republicans by the Democratic House Majority PAC.“Esther Kim Varet’s family came to this country to realize the American Dream. As a working mother and successful small business owner in the 40th District, Esther has the profile, message, campaign team, and resources to finally flip the last Republican House seat in Orange County,” said Ajay Mohan, Campaign Manager and most recent Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Orange County. Kim Varet announced the following campaign hires:<ul><li>Ajay Mohan, Campaign Manager</li><li>Orrin Evans, Armour Evans (Media &amp; Digital)</li><li>Derek and Anna Humphrey, Overland Strategies (Direct Mail)</li><li>Ben Tulchin, Tulchin Research (Polling)</li></ul>Both Tulchin and Evans were part of the successful teams who defeated Young Kim in the State Assembly (2016) and Congress (2018) respectively. ###California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties in Southern California. President Trump was defeated here in 2020, and $Cook Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as R+2, one of the more competitive districts in the nation.Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including her support for banning abortion even in cases of rape and incest, votes against lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and votes against gun safety have made her extremely vulnerable.The district includes Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

Esther Kim Varet Raises Over $350K In First 10 Days Of Campaign

New TV and Digital Ad Hits the Air as Campaign Surpasses $2.3 Million Raised This Cycle and Tops 200 Volunteers, Sharpening the Contrast With Republicans Ken Calvert and Young KimORANGE COUNTY, CA / <a href="https://www.accessnewswire.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ACCESS Newswire</a> / April 20, 2026 / <a href="https://pr.report/kqxn" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Esther Kim-Varet</a>, the Democratic frontrunner for California's 40th Congressional District, raised $341,992.72 in the first quarter of 2026 and closed the period with $1,149,932.07 cash on hand, according to the campaign's FEC report filed Wednesday. The quarter pushes her cycle-to-date fundraising past $3 million, entirely from individual grassroots donors, and gives her a commanding war chest heading into the June 2 primary and a general election against two entrenched Republican incumbents, Ken Calvert and Young Kim.CA-40 is a 2026 DCCC target, and the race has drawn unusual attention since Proposition 50 redrew the district and forced Rep. Young Kim and Rep. Ken Calvert into the same seat, a collision that has scrambled the GOP field and opened a path for a disciplined, well-funded Democrat.Kim-Varet's Q1 receipts came overwhelmingly from individuals: $110,908.08 in itemized contributions and $231,084.64 in unitemized small-dollar contributions, for a total of $341,992.72 from individual donors this period, with an average donation of $27. The campaign has refused corporate and foreign interest PAC money. The result is a donor base that is broad, renewable, and insulated from the kind of corporate interests that have backed Calvert and Kim for decades.On the ground, the campaign now counts more than 200 trained volunteers knocking doors, making calls, and organizing in Orange and Riverside counties, from Rancho Santa Margarita to Corona to Murrieta. That operation will scale sharply through the primary."Every number in this report is a voter who believes we can do better than Ken Calvert and Young Kim," said Esther Kim-Varet. "Between them, these two have spent nearly 50 years in Washington voting to gut health care, protect corporate donors, and rubber-stamp an agenda that is making life more expensive for my community."The fundraising announcement comes as the campaign launches this week with a targeted television and digital advertisement introducing Kim-Varet to voters across CA-40. The 30-second ad is part of a sustained paid-media program produced by ArmourEvans, the firm that powered Reps. Derek Tran and Dave Min to Red to Blue victories in Orange County last cycle. Leading up to the June 2 primary, these commercial ads are in addition to programs already in motion, including weekly mail drops by Solidary Strategies, a targeted text message campaign by KeyLime Strategies, and more than 2,300 paid signs installed throughout the District by IMPACT.Campaign Manager Nubia Diaz remarks, "No other Democrat in this race is close on cash on hand, on grassroots donors or on organization. With more than $1.1 million in the bank, 200-plus volunteers, and a new ad hitting the airwaves, we are building the kind of campaign it actually takes to flip a seat like this. Democrats have one shot to retire Young Kim and Ken Calvert. If we want the job done, it's time to unite now."Proposition 50, approved by California voters in November 2025, reshaped the congressional map and placed Calvert and Young Kim on the same ballot in the new CA-40. Both voted for the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill," legislation that Democrats say will strip health coverage from tens of thousands of CA-40 constituents, raise costs for seniors, and balloon the deficit to pay for tax cuts skewed to the wealthiest. Kim-Varet has made those votes central to her case, arguing that neither Calvert's 30-plus years in Washington nor Kim's record as a reliable vote for the Trump agenda reflects the values of the families, workers, and small business owners who actually live in the district.The <a href="https://pr.report/kqxo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">campaign</a> enters the next phase with a clear financial edge over every Democratic primary rival, a seasoned team (including strategists who have beaten Young Kim before), endorsements from the Congressional AAPI Caucus PAC (ASPIRE), Vote Mama, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, Rep. Gil Cisneros, and a growing list of California officials, and a message built for a district hungry for change.About Esther Kim-VaretEsther Kim-Varet is a first-generation Korean American, working mom, and small business owner running for Congress in California's 40th District. The daughter of North Korean refugees, she built a nationally recognized small business from the ground up and is running to lower costs for working families, protect reproductive freedom, defend Social Security and Medicare, and restore honest, accountable representation to a district that has been taken for granted by career politicians for too long.CONTACT:Esther Kim-Varet for Congress <a href="mailto:info@estherkimvaret.com">info@estherkimvaret.com</a> View the original <a href="https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/government/esther-kim-varet-closes-q1-with-1.15-million-cash-on-hand-cementing-lead-as-the-stronges-1158410" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">press release</a> on ACCESS Newswire.

New TV and Digital Ad Hits the Air as Campaign Surpasses $2.8 Million Raised This Cycle and Tops 200 Volunteers, Sharpening the Contrast With Republicans Ken Calvert and Young Kim

Esther Kim-Varet Closes Q1 With $1.15 Million Cash on Hand

California's Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis Endorses Esther Kim-Varet for Congress in CA40

Quirk-Silva, who kicked Young Kim out of the Assembly, praises Kim Varet as “the best chance we have at flipping the House”Tustin, CA – Today, CA-40 mom and small business owner Esther Kim Varet announced the endorsement of Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (AD-65), who represents Northern Orange County and surrounding communities. Quirk-Silva defeated Young Kim in 2016 when Orange County voters threw Young Kim out of Sacramento for her extreme ideological positions on women’s reproductive care, increasing taxes on working families, and personal corruption.&nbsp; “I’m proud to support Esther Kim Varet for Congress in CA-40,” said Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva. “As someone who has faced Young Kim multiple times - and defeated her - I know that Esther is the best chance we have at flipping the House, restoring sanity to our nation, and finally kicking Young Kim out of office for good. Let’s do this!” Assemblymember Quirk-Silva’s endorsement comes on the heels of a stellar fundraising quarter for Kim Varet, who outraised the combined Democratic field by 2x, outraised the next closest Democrat by 3x, and retained more than 3x the cash on hand of the combined Democratic field in CA-40. ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 2.5x. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin, Coto de Caza, Silverado, Modjeska, and Trabuco, and parts of the cities of Brea and Corona.

Quirk-Silva, who kicked Young Kim out of the Assembly, praises Kim Varet as “the best chance we have at flipping the House”

Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva Endorses Esther Kim Varet

State of the Union Highlights MAGA Young Kim Putting Trump Over Her Constituents, Failing to Address Rising PricesTustin, CA – Today, CA-40 entrepreneur and mother Esther Kim Varet responded to Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech, and MAGA Republican Young Kim’s unwavering support of him. Kim has been supportive or silent on many unpopular items in Donald Trump’s State of the Union agenda, including: <ul><li><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-tariffs-what-will-cost-more-inflation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tariffs of 25% on Mexico and Canada will significantly increase costs</a> for CA-40 residents, amounting to the highest tax hike in modern American history</li><li><a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/slap-face-veterans-react-finding-laid-off/story?id=119292753" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Firing veterans without cause</a> at key government agencies</li><li><a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/03/04/trump-joint-address-to-congress/trump-tells-congress-to-end-chips-act-00212871" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Repealing the bipartisan CHIPS Act</a>, which boosts American security and manufacturing</li><li>Decimating the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025/03/05/nih-trump-turmoil-grants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Institutes of Health</a> and the <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/03/trump-administration-cuts-may-threaten-ai-research-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Science Foundation</a> and their key research into human health and artificial intelligence</li><li><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-turns-russia-breaking-decades-us-policy-rcna194518" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Abandoning Ukraine</a>, a key ally, and abandoning international American leadership with NATO, the UN, and more</li><li>Initiating a <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-congress-administration-live-updates-2039844" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hostile takeover of foreign territory in Panama</a> </li></ul>“The Trump-Young Kim agenda is already deeply harming our communities after just over a month in office,” &nbsp;said Esther Kim Varet. “Southern Californians can’t afford the damage that Trump is inflicting on our communities, and it’s clear that Young Kim doesn’t have the spine to look out for us because she is busy bending the knee to Donald Trump.” Young Kim’s recent vote to <a href="https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-republican-house-budget-resolutions-potential-880-billion-in-medicaid-cuts-by-congressional-district/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">axe $1.33 billion in healthcare funding</a> for CA-40 alone threatens MediCal and Medicare to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, highlighting Kim’s continued siding with Donald Trump over her own constituents. Kim’s budget vote also significantly reduced a viable path to cut residential property taxes for Orange County residents by restoring the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, a major priority for CA-40 residents. ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties in Southern California. President Trump was defeated here in 2020, and Cook Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as R+2, one of the most competitive districts in the nation. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including her support for banning abortion even in cases of rape and incest, her votes against lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and her votes against gun safety have made Kim extremely vulnerable. The district includes Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

State of the Union Highlights MAGA Young Kim Putting Trump Over Her Constituents, Failing to Address Rising Prices

Trump and Young Kim Double Down on Tariffs &amp; Abandoning American Leadership

New CA-40 map excludes Young Kim’s residence and constituentsMajority of new CA-40 district voted YES on Prop 50, dramatic swing momentumDemocratic frontrunner Esther Kim Varet lives in the new CA-40, will be up against both Young Kim and displaced CA-41 MAGA Rep. Ken Calvert <h4>COTO DE CAZA, CA — Following yesterday’s resounding approval of Proposition 50 by California voters, and announcements this morning by MAGA Reps Young Kim and Ken Calvert that they will both fight to split the Republican vote in the new CA-40, challenger candidate for California’s 40th Congressional district Esther Kim Varet issued the following statement:</h4><h4>“In January, after googling how to run for Congress, I entered this race as a citizen with a plan to flip CA-40 and retire career politician and MAGA minion Young Kim. Young Kim today announced that she will continue to run in the new CA-40, even though its new district map excludes most of her constituency and is nowhere near her residence(s). She will be fighting to split the MAGA vote against displaced veteran MAGA CA-41 Rep. Ken Calvert, who also entered the CA-40 race today and who currently represents a majority of the new district map.” “My husband and two elementary school-aged children and I live in the new CA-40, so now I’ll be fighting twice as hard to remove both of these corrupt politicians from Congress, while they also battle each other in a humiliating lose/lose MAGA-off pageant for Donald Trump’s approval.” “The patriotic mission of my campaign remains unchanged, and today’s developments will only accelerate our momentum. Nearly 30,000 individual donors have contributed to my fight and over 350 local volunteers have signed up to help me flip this district red to blue. I appeal to all patriots in the new CA-40 and across the nation to help me retire both Young Kim and Ken Calvert, and help secure a House majority.” </h4>### The newly drawn California’s 40th Congressional District now spans broader terrain across Southern California—including added portions of Riverside County and San Bernardino County—making it one of the most consequential battlegrounds in the country. The district includes the cities of Rancho Santa Margarita, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, WIldomar and Canyon Lake as well as parts of Mission Viejo, Orange, Anaheim and Corona.Challenger Esther Kim Varet has raised over $2 million to date with nearly 30,000 individual donors in her fight to represent this new district and stands committed to protecting women’s right to choose, expanding healthcare access, lowering drug costs, and enacting responsible gun‑safety measures.

New CA-40 map excludes Young Kim’s residence and constituents, Democratic frontrunner Esther Kim Varet lives in the new CA-40, is likely to face off against displaced CA-41 MAGA Rep. Ken Calvert

PROP 50 PASSAGE MEANS YOUNG KIM CAN KISS CA-40 GOODBYE

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OC Register: Instagram account spurs FEC complaint

Kim Varet Cements CA-40 Frontrunner Status With National Republicans Raising Alarm About Her Momentum Tustin, CA – This week, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) <a href="https://www.nrcc.org/2025/05/29/jasmine-crockett-crowns-her-ideological-twin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">raised the alarm over Esther Kim Varet’s candidacy</a> momentum, hysterically warning that “Democrat Jasmine Crockett has crowned her chaos candidate”, in reaction to <a href="https://x.com/jasmineforus/status/1928137080171098535?s=46" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a May 29th post from Rep. Crockett</a> which encouraged her half million X followers to “vote for real representation like @estherkimvaret! Show her some love &amp; give her a follow!” This is the first NRCC communication this cycle attacking a CA-40 challenger candidate, recognizing Kim Varet’s status as the Democratic frontrunner in this closely watched critical red to blue race. “The NRCC is right to be very scared of losing Radical Republican Young Kim’s seat to Esther Kim Varet,” said Campaign Manager Ajay Mohan. “MAGA Rep. Kim has taken every corrupt dollar she can, she has blatantly lied about her positions on Medicaid and SALT, and she has supported Donald Trump’s agenda of hurting CA-40’s middle class and small businesses. National and local Republicans all recognize that Esther Kim Varet is the candidate who can and will send Young Kim to retirement.”&nbsp; ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 3.2x. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

Kim Varet Cements CA-40 Frontrunner Status With National Republicans Raising Alarm About Her Momentum

National Republican Congressional Committee Attacks Esther Kim Varet

Innovative Ad Mocks Faux-Moderate Rep. Young Kim&nbsp;for Being Controlled by Trump and Corporate DonorsKim Varet Is Taking Her Sharp Message Where It Hurts: to Fox NewsTustin, CA -&nbsp;Yesterday, CNN’s Dana Bash featured a segment on “Inside Politics” spotlighting Esther Kim Varet’s humorous and innovative new campaign advertisement. The :30 second TV ad depicts fake, AI-generated people who mock MAGA Republican Young Kim by comparing their lack of authenticity to hers; one AI character in the ad says “I may look and sound real, but there is nothing authentic about me — in that way, I’m a lot like Young Kim.”This is the Esther Kim Varet campaign’s first TV ad, which will air in the coming weeks on Fox News and MSNBC, targeted to viewers within California’s 40th Congressional district.<a href="https://click.ngpvan.com/k/108528396/548212682/1755307776?share=copy&amp;nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9OR1AvTkdQNjEvMS8xMTY0NjQiLA0KICAiRGlzdHJpYnV0aW9uVW5pcXVlSWQiOiAiYjczMjAyZDYtZmIzYi1mMDExLWE1ZjEtNjA0NWJkYTlkOTZiIiwNCiAgIkVtYWlsQWRkcmVzcyI6ICJhamF5QGVzdGhlcmtpbXZhcmV0LmNvbSINCn0%3D&amp;hmac=woTjH4bcKPHbavUHYPpU0J2XkfngodydtdCMi50dLwE=&amp;emci=98fa0b97-743b-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&amp;emdi=b73202d6-fb3b-f011-a5f1-6045bda9d96b&amp;ceid=22317095" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WATCH THE CNN CLIP HERE</a>CNN’s coverage of Kim Varet’s first ad of the cycle showcases the clear momentum behind her campaign, which previously announced Q1 fundraising more than 3.2x greater than the rest of the combined CA-40 Democratic field, and a higher Q1 addition to campaign funds than incumbent Young Kim.Kim Varet recently announced an early endorsement from the Congressional Asian Pacific Islander Caucus campaign action fund (ASPIRE PAC), and an endorsement from the VoteMama PAC. Kim Varet is the only Democratic challenger in CA-40 to have earned endorsements from any PACs to date.###California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 3.2x.Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety.CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

Innovative Ad Mocks Faux-Moderate Rep. Young Kim&nbsp;for Being Controlled by Trump and Corporate DonorsKim Varet Is Taking Her Sharp Message Where It Hurts: to Fox News

CNN Spotlights Esther Kim Varet’s First Ad

Opening Makes Kim Varet the Only CA-40 Candidate with a Business Located Inside the DistrictTustin, CA – Yesterday, the LA Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2025-05-07/various-small-fires-oc-pulls-back-the-orange-curtain-in-tustin" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">published an article covering the opening of Various Small Fires</a>, Esther Kim Varet’s newest art gallery. The new Tustin location is the fourth outpost for Kim Varet’s business, after Los Angeles, Dallas, and Seoul. Kim Varet is the only candidate for California’s 40th Congressional district with a physical business in the district and the only candidate creating full time jobs in the district. <h4><a href="https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2025-05-07/various-small-fires-oc-pulls-back-the-orange-curtain-in-tustin" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">READ THE ARTICLE HERE </a></h4>“As a business owner and employer in California’s 40th Congressional District, I see every day the damage that Young Kim and the Trump administration are inflicting on our small businesses and families,” said Esther Kim Varet. “We need a representative that understands what it’s like to deal with salaries, 401(k)s, and budgeting - not a representative like Young Kim who has spent decades on the government payroll, hurting our small businesses by supporting Trump’s erratic tariff policies.” ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 3.2x. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

Opening Makes Kim Varet the Only CA-40 Candidate with a Business Located Inside the District

ICYMI: LA Times Spotlights Esther Kim Varet’s Small Business Opening in Tustin

MAGA Incumbent Young Kim Desperately Stays Afloat with Corporate PAC MoneyTustin, CA – Today, mom and small business owner Esther Kim Varet announced that she raised over 2.5x the combined Democratic field, raised over 3.2x the next leading Democrat, and retains over 3.7x the cash on hand of the next leading Democrat in the race for California’s 40th Congressional District. Kim Varet also netted more cash on hand than MAGA Republican incumbent Young Kim in Q1.&nbsp;<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/1a4635a9-dec5-4e5b-a9ac-2af2870b94d5/1a4635a9-dec5-4e5b-a9ac-2af2870b94d5.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2160%2C2160&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="25" variant="base"><img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/f8652dc9-3419-46e3-a655-5157b480f566/f8652dc9-3419-46e3-a655-5157b480f566.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2160%2C2160&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="25" variant="base">While every single one of Kim Varet’s donations came from individuals, MAGA Republican Young Kim accepted over $400K in PAC money, including money from major corporations that she oversees on the House Financial Services Committee, amounting to ‘pay to play’ corruption. Some of Rep. Kim’s major corporate donors include Allianz Insurance, Ameriprise Financial, Blue Shield of California, Capital One, Citizens Financial, Edison International, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance, Samsung Electronics, Guardian Life Insurance, Toyota, T-Mobile, and State Farm Insurance. “I’m proud to have a grassroots, people-powered campaign,” said Esther Kim Varet. “This proves that people are fed up with extreme Republican Young Kim’s disgraceful corruption. Together, we are going to flip CA-40, retake the House majority, and restore sanity to America.” ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

MAGA Incumbent Young Kim Desperately Stays Afloat with Corporate PAC Money

Esther Kim Varet Outraises CA-40 Democratic Field by Over 2.5x

<h4>Fellow Small Business Owner, Former Entertainment Executive, and Environmental Champion Backs Kim-Varet to Retire MAGA Incumbents Young Kim and Ken Calvert — Who Have Spent a Combined 39 Years in Congress Voting Against the Interests of Californians</h4>COTO DE CAZA, CA — Esther Kim-Varet, frontrunner to flip California’s 40th Congressional District, today announced the endorsement of Rep. Laura Friedman (CA-30), the freshman Congresswoman representing Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, and parts of Los Angeles and Pasadena. Friedman, a former film and television executive turned small business owner who succeeded Adam Schiff in Congress, has built a national reputation as a fierce advocate for affordable housing, environmental protection, and fighting corporate corruption — all of which are core pillars of Kim-Varet’s campaign to flip CA-40.“Esther is exactly the kind of leader California needs in Congress — a working mom and small business owner who answers to her community, not corporate donors,” said Rep. Laura Friedman. “CA-40 is shaping up to be the critical race in Southern California in our battle to win back the House. Esther has the grassroots support, the resources, and the backbone to retire them both. I’m proud to stand with her.”MAGA Rep. Young Kim and MAGA Rep. Ken Calvert have occupied their congressional seats for a combined 39 years — and in that time, have amassed a despicable record of putting corporate donors and Donald Trump ahead of the Californians they were elected to serve.Calvert, who has been in Congress since 1993 (Esther was still in elementary school!), has been named one of the most corrupt members of Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and has used his position to personally profit from earmarks directed to land deals near his own real estate holdings. Young Kim has taken huge sums from the oil and gas industry, <a href="https://www.lcv.org/moc/young-kim/?active_tab=scorecard">earned an “F-” from the League of Conservation Voters</a>, and cast the deciding vote on a Republican budget bill that would strip healthcare from over 40,000 of her own constituents. “I am honored to have Rep. Friedman’s support,” said Esther Kim-Varet. “We both came to politics through the private sector of the creative industry — we know what it’s like to build something from nothing, to make payroll, to fight for every dollar. That’s the mentality I’ll bring to Congress.”Rep. Friedman’s endorsement adds to a growing list of national, state, and local allies backing Kim-Varet’s campaign, including (but not limited to) the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (ASPIRE PAC), VoteMama, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. Gil Cisneros, State Senator Catherine Blakespear, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Mayor Pro-Tem of Lake Elsinore Tim Sheridan, former Rep. Harley Rouda, and former Rep. Dean Phillips.###California’s newly drawn 40th Congressional District, spanning portions of Riverside County and Orange County, is one of the most consequential U.S. House district battlegrounds in the nation. CA-40 includes the cities of Rancho Santa Margarita, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Canyon Lake as well as parts of Mission Viejo, Orange, Anaheim and Corona.First-time candidate Esther Kim-Varet has raised over $2.8 million to date, powered by over 60,000 individual small dollar contributions from across the nation, with no corporate or foreign PAC money whatsoever. Esther is not a politician — she is a working mom of two young kids, running for Congress to restore the American Dream for all. In Congress, Esther will combat corruption, defend democracy, and fight for the middle class, small businesses, public education, and healthcare access.

Fellow Small Business Owner, Former Entertainment Executive, and Environmental Champion Backs Kim-Varet to Retire MAGA Incumbents Young Kim and Ken Calvert — Who Have Spent a Combined 39 Years in Congress Voting Against the Interests of Californians

Rep. Laura Friedman Endorses  Esther Kim-Varet for Congress

Notorious local social media troll, paid $1,500 by Democratic opponent who had pledged to run a “positive, ideas-based campaign”, posted racist and antisemitic slander.COTO DE CAZA, CA — Esther Kim-Varet, the frontrunner Democratic candidate to flip California’s 40th Congressional district, today condemned opposing Democrat Lisa Ramirez (a resident of the Santa Ana gated community Rocking Horse Ridge in the CA-47 district) for paying notorious Orange County social media troll Briana Walker $1,500 to attack the credibility of Kim-Varet with baseless racist defamation. These posts, which as of this release are still published on X, do not disclose that Walker was paid by the Ramirez campaign. With shocking hypocrisy, Ramirez, whose first campaign video promised "accountability, responsibility, and integrity” had one week prior to her surrogate’s posts published a new video moralizing that “voters are tired of politics as usual that too often means negative attacks” and calling on her opponents in the race to refrain from “shaming and name calling.” According to a newly filed FEC disclosure, the Ramirez campaign committee paid Walker $1,500 for “communications consulting.” Walker is a notorious Orange County social media personality who has previously been hired as an “astroturfing” antagonist by other OC candidates. Walker drew controversy during the 2024 cycle by <a href="https://theliberaloc.com/2023/09/20/so-who-wrote-sb-264-to-ban-gun-shows-at-oc-fairgrounds-wave-insider-answers-the-question/">insisting that then-State Senator Dave Min shouldn’t take credit for banning gun shows at the OC Fairgrounds</a>, despite the fact that Min (who like Kim-Varet is Korean-American) had authored the legislation. It was later disclosed that Walker was on the payroll of Min’s opponent. Ramirez, whose own X account has a steadily declining follower count currently at 228, sought to utilize the reach of Walker’s 15,000 X followers in order to boost her local reputation and undermine Kim-Varet’s credibility. <img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/50ed013a-3bb6-4fb5-9d51-411cbccb342f/50ed013a-3bb6-4fb5-9d51-411cbccb342f.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2312%2C1320&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="47.5" variant="framed">Last Monday, Walker posted a screenshot and comment (on her X account @InMinivanHell) defaming Esther Kim-Varet as ostensibly insensitive to the LGBTQ community for posing with a Chick-Fil-A mascot at a 5K charity walk. However, Walker’s absurd claims were entirely baseless as the screenshot she posted as evidence is from the account of an entirely different and unrelated woman named Esther Kim. Despite her paid mandate to harass and discredit Esther Kim-Varet, Walker apparently could not differentiate the photos of another Korean-American woman (or else intended the misidentification as a racist dog whistle). <img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/3c7de443-1d36-4ff1-bb53-293abe1913a7/3c7de443-1d36-4ff1-bb53-293abe1913a7.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1569%2C2392&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="25" variant="framed">The same day, Walker reposted an antisemitic attack on Kim-Varet from an X account that Walker’s account frequently interacts with, seeking to discredit Kim-Varet, whose husband and children are Jewish, as a “mega zionist”. Walker replied to her own repost, praising Ramirez for “not taking AIPAC money.” AIPAC has neither endorsed nor contributed to Kim-Varet nor any other Democratic candidate in the CA-40 race.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/ba2ed59e-9711-4283-b32b-2078f597a63f/ba2ed59e-9711-4283-b32b-2078f597a63f.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1206%2C1810&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="25" variant="framed">In a third post, Walker inappropriately shared to X a screenshot from Kim-Varet’s Instagram account that includes a photograph of Kim-Varet’s young daughter, along with a defamatory caption. Today, Kim-Varet calls on Ramirez to issue a public apology and disavowal, cut ties with Walker, and rise above duplicitous slander. “Not all Asians look alike. Trump has sadly normalized weaponization of social media to race-bait and ‘other’ political opponents” said Esther Kim-Varet. “Presumably Ramirez and her campaign are aware of all these despicable posts since Walker is on their payroll. Unbelievably, Walker also trolled with photos of my daughter in it. If Ramirez wants to debate policy, that’s fair game – but the use of her limited campaign funds for racist slander against a fellow Democrat is disqualifying hypocrisy.&nbsp; CA-40 voters already have gaslighting incumbents Ken Calvert and Young Kim representing them in Congress. To win voters’ trust and flip this critical swing district, Democrats must not only preach but also practice accountability, responsibility, and integrity.”<img src="https://run.imgix.net/341732a5-ddbe-49f3-8c85-7f025c8645cb/7cdff378-be33-4e9d-af14-5f62b9cbe035/7cdff378-be33-4e9d-af14-5f62b9cbe035.jpg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C1372%2C1569&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="40" variant="framed"><a href="https://x.com/estherkimvaret/status/2016963117696335974?s=20">New polling</a> shows that Esther Kim-Varet (whose campaign has more than 14X the cash on hand of all other Democrats in the CA-40 race) is projected to clear the open primary by a wide margin, advancing to a statistical toss-up contest against Ken Calvert or Young Kim in the November general election.Kim-Varet’s campaign has received a string of high-profile endorsements, most recently from Rep. Jasmine Crockett, as well as state and local leaders, current and former members of Congress, and national organizations including the Congressional AAPI Caucus PAC. With Kim-Varet’s viral social media reach of over 30 million people in the past month alone, and nationwide support from over 47,000 small dollar contributions to date, her campaign is poised to retire not one but two corrupt MAGA incumbents from Congress this November.###California’s newly drawn 40th Congressional District, spanning portions of Riverside County and Orange County, is one of the most consequential U.S. House district battlegrounds in the nation. CA-40 includes the cities of Rancho Santa Margarita, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and Canyon Lake as well as parts of Mission Viejo, Orange, Anaheim and Corona.First-time candidate Esther Kim-Varet has raised over $2.5 million to date, powered by over 47,000 individual small dollar contributions from across the nation. Esther is not a politician — she is a working mom of two young kids, running for Congress to restore the American Dream for all. In Congress, Esther will combat corruption, defend democracy, and fight for the middle class, small businesses, public education, and healthcare access.

Social media troll, paid $1,500 by Democratic opponent who had pledged to run a “positive, ideas-based campaign”, posted racist and antisemitic slander against Kim-Varet.

Esther Kim-Varet Demands  Public Apology for Opponent’s Use of Campaign Funds for Defamatory Attacks

Esther Kim Varet Significantly Expands Fundraising Lead Over CA-40 Democratic Field Tustin, CA – Today, Esther Kim Varet, small business owner, mother, and candidate for California’s 40th Congressional District, announced raising over $600K in Q2, building on the more than $1 million she raised in Q1. In Q2 alone, Kim Varet received contributions from over 11,800 individual donors, with an average contribution of $31.92. “I’m overwhelmed by the amount of support our campaign has received, and I’m putting my own money where my mouth is to double down on our mission to unseat Young Kim,” said Esther Kim Varet. “‘Cruella Young Kim has voted to cruelly harm children, families, and seniors in our community by voting to slash Medicaid, Medicare and food assistance, along with gutting essential protections for clean air and clean water, and even slashing FEMA – all while ballooning the national debt – for no purpose other than to reward her billionaire and corporate backers. It’s shameful but not surprising, since she has consistently lied about her positions on major issues, ever since she first entered Congress. Our fundraising momentum shows that people are fired up to remove Young Kim, win control of The House, and pull the emergency break on the Trump trainwreck – and that our campaign will have the resources to make it happen. We will not rest until she is voted out.” ### California’s 40th is a Congressional District representing portions of Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County in Southern California. CA-40’s constituents voted for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020. House Majority PAC lists CA-40 as a top target, the DCCC lists CA-40 as a “District in Play”, and the Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index (PVI) ranks the district as one of the 10 most vulnerable House seats with a Republican incumbent in the nation. Esther Kim Varet raised over $1 million in Q1 2025, outpacing the combined Democratic field by over 2.5x. Incumbent Republican Young Kim’s support for MAGA policies, including a federal ban on abortion even in cases of rape and incest, support of the GOP budget bill that would strip 40,000+ of her constituents from Medicaid, blocking legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and rejection of common sense gun safety, have made Kim extremely vulnerable. In contrast, Esther Kim Varet will always vote to protect women’s right to choose, provide access to healthcare, lower prescription drug costs, and support responsible gun safety. CA-40 includes the cities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Orange, Chino Hills, Tustin, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Villa Park, Lake Forest, the unincorporated communities of North Tustin and Coto de Caza, and parts of Brea and Corona.

Campaign Funding To Date Exceeds $1.6M; Esther Kim Varet Significantly Expands Fundraising Lead Over CA-40 Democratic Field

Esther Kim Varet Raises Over $600K in Q2 2025; Campaign Funding To Date Exceeds $1.6M

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