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.”

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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.