Campaign Photo Error Prompts Backlash. Esther Kim Varet’s campaign briefly displayed the photo of a Black woman who was not Rep. Jasmine Crockett while promoting an endorsement; the image was removed after Fox News Digital questioned the campaign. The mistake drew accusations of racism from NRCC spokesman Christian Martinez and came amid prior controversies over Varet’s remarks about Rep. Young Kim’s English. The episode unfolds as the competitive race in California’s reconfigured 40th District continues.
Campaign Photo Blunder: California Candidate Uses Wrong Photo to Promote Rep. Jasmine Crockett Endorsement
The campaign website for California Democratic candidate Esther Kim Varet had the wrong image of Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, while touting her endorsement.
Esther Kim Varet’s campaign website briefly displayed a photograph of a Black woman who was not U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett while promoting an endorsement purportedly from the Texas Democrat. The image was removed Thursday afternoon after Fox News Digital contacted Varet’s campaign about the error.
Christian Martinez, national Hispanic press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, denounced the mistake on X as "Racist. Arrogant. Totally out of touch," and wrote that "@estherkimvaret’s hate-filled, bigoted self isn’t getting anywhere near Congress." Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to both Varet’s campaign and Rep. Crockett’s office; the campaign had not provided a detailed explanation at the time of publication.
The campaign website for Esther Kim Varet had the wrong image for Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, while touting her endorsement.
Varet is the owner of Various Small Fires, a chain of art galleries with locations in Los Angeles, Dallas and Seoul. She is running as a Democrat in California’s reconfigured 40th Congressional District, challenging Republican Rep. Young Kim. The district covers parts of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and remains competitive following statewide redistricting.
This episode comes amid earlier controversies involving Varet. In August she criticized Rep. Young Kim’s English on social media, calling her an "ESL puppet," which drew sharp criticism and prompted the NRCC to call Varet "unhinged." The NRCC also alleged Varet told Martinez to "prove that you're a REAL Latino."
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Dec. 17, 2025.
"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," Rep. Young Kim told Fox News Digital in response to earlier remarks.
The incident adds to an already heated local race. Young Kim is also facing a Republican primary challenge from Rep. Ken Calvert, and California’s redrawn map — approved by voters to create additional Democratic-leaning seats — follows recent map changes in Texas intended to create more Republican-leaning districts.
Fox News Digital noted related coverage of Rep. Jasmine Crockett that addressed other policy positions and past comments, but those items are separate from the photo error. The campaign removed the image after inquiry; it was not clear whether the use of the photo was inadvertent or intentional.
