Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
43.5%
44%
44%
Democrat
Esther Kim Varet
Democratic candidate for U.S. House in California
CA-40 primary: first place
$32.7K
JUN 6, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — CA-40 primary: first place
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
1%chance to win
$32.7KJUN 6, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleArt dealer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationCalifornia
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BackgroundArt dealer
EducationYale University (BA)
Notable personal detailsEsther Jin Kim Varet is an American art dealer and gallerist who founded and directs the contemporary art gallery Various Small Fires (VSF), established in Los Angeles in 2012 and later expanded to additional locations. She is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 40th Congressional District (2026 cycle). She attended Yale University and completed graduate study at Columbia University.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govestherkimvaret.comen.wikipedia.orgapollo-magazine.comlegalclarity.orgdemocraticunderground.comlegis1.comestherjy.comrossier.usc.edukoreadaily.comestherjykim.comcaliforniadsa.orgthemidtermproject.orgtimeout.comelections.cdn.sos.ca.govdocquery.fec.govarxiv.orgcadem.orgboeingpac.comfoxnews.comnrcc.orgtheliberaloc.comtheorg.comestherkimmd.comucsfhealth.orgcchf.orgentsp.cominstagram.comfinance.yahoo.compatch.comlocalcandidates.orgbluevoterguide.orgnytimes.comocregister.comnypost.comx.comballotready.orgnews.ballotpedia.orgziplook.house.govcalvert.house.govyoungkim.house.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate pledges to "make taxes fair," lower costs for middle-class families, protect seniors, and rejects corporate PAC contributions; no detailed tax-rate proposals or explicit advocacy for higher taxes on wealthy individuals or major tax-cut plans were found on official or media pages reviewed.
Healthcare
The campaign states she will work to lower costs and ensure quality, affordable healthcare is within reach and pledges to protect access to affordable health care and reproductive health services. The website and endorsements emphasize lowering costs and defending access but do not specify support for Medicare for All, a public option, or detailed healthcare policy proposals.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate has criticized Trump administration immigration policies and has highlighted immigrant family experiences as central to her story and campaign. Her public posts have drawn attention to deportation and ICE actions, signaling support for more humane treatment of immigrants while not laying out a detailed border-enforcement blueprint on her campaign site.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports safe access to abortion, contraception, and IVF for women in every state and states that these decisions should be between a woman and her doctor. The campaign opposes government interference in reproductive healthcare and says she will vote to protect women’s right to choose and provide access to healthcare.
Climate & Energy
Supports science-based actions to address pollution and climate change and pledges to protect clean air and water through responsible solutions and competitiveness-preserving policy. Emphasizes environmental protection as part of her campaign priorities but does not endorse Green New Deal–level language on the campaign site.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports responsible gun safety measures and is aligned with gun-violence-prevention groups; emphasizes backing common-sense gun safety while casting herself as respectful of lawful gun ownership. Campaign materials and related coverage characterize her as a supporter of expanded gun-safety policies.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedSep 2, 2026
Esther Kim Varet is in the news because she placed third in California’s redrawn 40th Congressional District primary, behind Ken Calvert and Young Kim, and did not advance to the general election. The race was part of a closely watched top-two primary in a district Republicans were favored to hold. Recent coverage also focused on broader debate over California’s top-two system, including a new effort to repeal it.
fec.gov+40
Articles
HHuffPost3 months ago
Ken Calvert, Young Kim Appear Headed To Ugly GOP Runoff For California House Seat
Neutral
WCWDIV ClickOnDetroit3 months ago
Democrats redrew California's map to counter Trump. The primary tests whether it pays off for them
Neutral
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat3 months ago
Democrats redrew California’s map to counter Trump. The primary tests whether it pays off for them
Neutral
SASanta Ana Orange County Register3 months ago
Democrats blame the party, each other and themselves in CA-40 June primary shutout
Neutral
Latest Polls
CA-40 primary: first place
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Esther Kim Varet currently averages 43.5%, ranking third in this race, 0.5 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 43.5%Position: thirdMargin: -0.5 ptsLatest poll: 43.0% (Jan 14 - 19)Polls included: 2
Average recalculated from polls through Jan 14 - 19.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$2.9M
$2.2M
$1.5M
$735.2K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$2.9M
$254.7K
$2.7M
$149.2K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements