First Congressional Endorsement in CA-40, ASPIRE PAC, Lines Up Behind Esther Kim Varet 

Tustin, CA – Today, the Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders Rising & Empowering Political Action Committee (ASPIRE PAC) announced its endorsement of Esther Kim Varet for Congress. ASPIRE PAC is the political arm of Democratic Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Members of Congress, representing 20 Democratic AANHPI Members of Congress, including 3 U.S. Senators. 

Today’s endorsement marks the first endorsement by any Congressional caucus in the CA-40 race. The early endorsement showcases Esther Kim Varet’s strong campaign, where she raised over $1M in Q1, outpacing the combined Democratic field by 3.2x.

In the 2023-2024 primary election, ASPIRE PAC endorsed Derek Tran (CA-45) and Dave Min (CA-47), who flipped and held neighboring Orange County seats for Democrats, respectively.

“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,” said Rep. Marilyn Strickland, ASPIRE PAC Chair. “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.”

“I am honored by the outpouring of support from my future colleagues in Congress,” said Esther Kim Varet. “Nationally and locally, we are building a movement to finally unseat corrupt Representative Young Kim and put a stop to Donald Trump by taking back the House majority. Let’s do this.”

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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.