Esther Kim Varet is a Democrat. She's probably a nice person. She should not be running for Congress in the OC.
If Democrats are going to demand standards in others, we also have to expect them from ourselves.
So yesterday I attended a rally for democracy in Irvine. It was inspired and funky and cool, and I wrote at length about it here. There were myriad speakers—some amazing, some solid, some forgettable.
One person not in attendance was Esther Kim Varet. It would have been a far drive.
Esther is planning on challenging Republican Young Kim in 2026 to represent California's 40th District. And, I mean, that sounds great. Awesome. Fantastic. Young Kim (who, to be clear, is widely regarded as a nice person) is a profound disappointment. She talks moderate and votes MAGA. She says she’ll stand up, but mostly sits down. She walks like a Romney, talks like a Murkowski and behaves as a Vance. It’s a bummer.
The other thing about Young Kim is, well, she doesn’t actually live within the boundaries of the district she purports to represent. Yes, she maintains a condominium unit in Anaheim Hills, but she doesn’t actually reside there. Ever. It’s all for show, and it’s something we Democrats need to broach with increased volume. Like, yeah, it’s legal. But how can you rep people you don’t know? How can you be of a district without being of a district? And, not for nothing, how about holding a town hall? Ever?
Which leads us to Esther Kim Varet—wealthy art dealer, daughter of immigrants who needed to flee North Korea, possessor of necessary cash, photogenic, smart, impressive. Hell, her website bio is great …
Alas, she lives in Los Angeles.
Hollywood, to be precise.
And … c’mon. Seriously—come the fuck on. It’s simply preposterous and stupid and illogical. Why, if I live in the 40th, am I backing someone who doesn’t live in the 40th? Someone who doesn’t share my concerns? Hell, know my concerns. I understand we need to win, I understand we need someone who says she shares our values. But there has to be a limit to how far we’ll go to. We need standards that scream to voters, “We have morals the others lack. We demand virtue.” Hell, as we speak two other Democrats have announced their candidacies (Christina Gagnier. Joe Kerr), and they actually (gasp) live among us.
So, with no intended disrespect to Esther Kim Varet, if you aspire to serve in Congress, run where you reside.
Otherwise, step off.
Dude, her campaign consultant is the filthy Ajay Mohan, creator of fake candidates to draw votes away from opponents.
As far as (fake) carpetbaggers go, it's a phenomenon that's been going on a long time in OC. An art dealer from Hollywood?
Maybe you met her at the rally. I was the emcee, and she did not speak publicly at the mic fyi