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In a significant campaign blunder, California Democratic congressional candidate Esther Kim Varet’s website mistakenly displayed a photo of an unidentified Black woman while promoting an endorsement from U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas. The error was corrected Thursday afternoon after Fox News Digital inquired about the misidentification.
The incident quickly drew criticism from Republican opponents. Christian Martinez, national Hispanic press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), condemned the mistake on social media platform X, writing: “Racist. Arrogant. Totally out of touch. Good thing @estherkimvaret’s hate-filled, bigoted self isn’t getting anywhere near Congress.”
Varet, who owns Various Small Fires, a chain of art galleries with locations in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Seoul, is challenging incumbent Republican Representative Young Kim in California’s 40th Congressional District. The district encompasses parts of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, areas that have traditionally leaned conservative but are increasingly competitive.
This isn’t the first controversy for Varet’s campaign. In August, she faced backlash after referring to Representative Kim, who was born in South Korea, as an “ESL puppet” in a social media post criticizing Trump administration immigration policies. The NRCC labeled Varet “unhinged” for these comments that appeared to mock Kim’s English-speaking abilities.
In response to Varet’s criticism, Representative Kim defended her background, stating, “My story is not unique. It’s the story of so many Korean Americans and immigrants across the country who are proud Americans and are making our communities better every day. I’m proud of my accent and will keep using my voice to protect the American dream for future generations.”
The race is taking place against the backdrop of significant redistricting in California. The state recently approved a redistricting measure in November aimed at creating additional Democratic-leaning congressional seats, changing district boundaries in a way that could affect electoral outcomes. This redistricting effort was partly a response to similar moves in Texas that created more Republican-leaning districts.
Representative Kim also faces a primary challenge from fellow Republican Representative Ken Calvert, as both will compete for the newly reconfigured district. The shifting district lines have created a complex political landscape where candidates must appeal to a potentially different voter base than in previous elections.
The misidentification of Representative Crockett is particularly notable as it involves two women of color in politics – Crockett, who is Black, and Varet, who is Korean American. Such mistakes can be perceived as reinforcing harmful stereotypes and suggesting a lack of attention to the identities of diverse political figures.
The incident highlights the challenges campaigns face in maintaining accurate content across digital platforms and the heightened scrutiny candidates receive regarding issues of race and representation. For Varet, who is positioning herself as a progressive alternative in the district, the error could potentially undermine her campaign’s credibility on issues of diversity and inclusion.
Neither Varet’s campaign nor Representative Crockett’s office responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting. As the campaign season progresses, this incident may become part of a larger conversation about representation, recognition, and respect in political messaging.
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9 Comments
This is certainly an embarrassing mistake by the Democratic candidate. Using the wrong photo in an endorsement is a sloppy error that could undermine voter trust. Careful attention to detail is important in political campaigns.
It’s concerning to see accusations of racism and bigotry being thrown around so quickly. While the mistake was clearly a blunder, we should avoid rushing to judgment without understanding the full context.
I agree. It’s important to keep an open mind and avoid knee-jerk reactions. Mistakes happen, and the focus should be on understanding what went wrong and how to prevent similar issues in the future.
This kind of mistake is concerning, but I’d caution against reading too much into it. Campaigns can be chaotic, and small errors don’t necessarily reflect a candidate’s broader capabilities or integrity.
I agree. We should avoid rushing to judgment and instead focus on the candidate’s overall vision and policy proposals. Voters deserve a thoughtful, nuanced assessment of the choices before them.
While the photo mix-up is certainly regrettable, I’m more interested in the candidate’s platform and qualifications. Voters should carefully weigh the full range of issues before making their choice.
It’s disappointing to see the Republican response descend into accusations of racism and bigotry. This seems more like a simple mistake than a deliberate attempt to mislead. Voters should evaluate the candidates on their merits, not partisan attacks.
This doesn’t seem like a major scandal, just an embarrassing mix-up. The real question is whether the candidate has the broader policy vision and qualifications to effectively represent the district. Voters should focus on the substantive issues.
As an avid follower of politics, I’m curious to see how this incident impacts the race. Voters will ultimately decide if this was an isolated mistake or part of a larger pattern. Transparency and accountability are key in any campaign.