Endorsements — Esther Kim Varet for Congress

ASPIRE PAC

Congressional Asian Pacific American caucus campaign arm

As the daughter of Korean immigrants, Esther Kim Varet is determined to restore the promise of the American Dream so that everyone can build a better life for themselves and their children, and ASPIRE PAC is excited to support her campaign. Esther can be trusted to be a real voice for our community and will fight to lower costs, protect access to affordable health care, and defend women’s reproductive rights. We need leaders like Esther who will put working families first.

— Rep. Marilyn Strickland, ASPIRE PAC Chair

Vote Mama PAC

California is stacked with powerhouse moms ready to make history, take down the president’s dangerous agenda, and flip the House blue, with Esther Kim Varet battling to unseat Young Kim in CA-40 — a race that will determine Congress’ majority — alongside trailblazers such as Lateefah Simon, Laura Friedman, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove running to defend their seats. From Congress to city councils, these candidates will build a California that works for every family.

— Liuba Grechen Shirley, founder and CEO of Vote Mama

Rep. Gil Cisneros

US CONGRESSMAN (CA-31)

Esther Kim Varet has what it takes to flip this seat from Red to Blue. As a small business owner, working mother, and child of immigrants, she will be a fierce advocate for working families in Congress and has my support.

(Cisneros defeated Rep. Young Kim in the 2018 midterm Congressional election.)

Rep. Marilyn Strickland

US Congresswoman (WA-10)

Esther knows the assignment — lower costs, make healthcare more affordable, and hold corrupt politicians accountable.

She has the focus, energy, and resources needed to defeat Trump’s Southern California cronies. Esther Kim Varet is the only Democrat with the moxie and fight to win the general election, and I am proud to endorse her.

(Strickland is the first Democrat Korean-American woman elected to Congress, and is Chair of ASPIRE PAC.)

Rep. Jasmine Crockett

US CONGRESSWOMAN (TX-30)

I’m endorsing Esther Kim-Varet because she’s a reformer with the courage to take on broken systems and the status quo. Esther doesn’t shy away from the impossible — she leans into it.

From business to academia to public service, she’s shown she can build things, fix things, and create space for people who are too often ignored.

That’s the kind of energy we need in Congress, especially at a time when so much is on the line. Esther will shake things up in the best way possible.

Sen. Catherine Blakespear

CA STATE senator (sd-38)

Esther Kim-Varet is a working mom, proven leader, and tireless advocate for families and safer communities. Her commitment to growing an economy that works for everyone and taking on gun violence is exactly what Congress needs. I’m proud to endorse her for Congress in the 40th District.

Asm. Sharon Quirk-Silva

CA Assemblymember (AD-67)

I’m proud to support Esther Kim Varet for Congress in CA-40. 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!

(Quirk-Silva defeated Rep. Young Kim in the 2016 CA Assembly election.)

Rep. Harley Rouda (ret.)

Former Orange county US Congressman

I’m proud to support Esther Kim Varet for Congress against Young Kim. As a former Congressman from Orange County, I see every day the damage that the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans are doing to our communities.

Esther is the best Democrat to take the last Republican House seat in Orange County.

She will fight for small businesses like her own and work on both sides of the aisle to serve our communities, just like I did on the Hill. Let’s get to work for Esther!

(Rouda flipped an Orange County Congressional district Red to Blue in 2018.)

Rep. Dean Phillips (ret.)

Former US congressman

I'm proud to endorse Esther Kim Varet to represent California's 40th district in Congress. A successful entrepreneur and job creator, Esther will bring fiscal responsibility, common sense, and a refreshing voice to Washington.

California and our country must replace career politicians with courageous leaders like Esther who will stand up for what is right while standing against corruption, cronyism, and incompetence.

Please join me in supporting Esther and a Democratic House majority in 2026!

(Phillips flipped a Minnesota Congressional district Red to Blue in 2018.)

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