California art dealer Esther Kim Varet, who runs Various Small Fires gallery, failed to advance to the general election in California’s 40th Congressional District. With 85% of votes counted, she placed third behind Republican incumbents Ken Calvert and Young Kim, who will face off in the general. California’s non-partisan “jungle primary” system allowed only the top two candidates to advance, despite Varet being the highest-ranking Democrat. The race was complicated by a mid-decade redistricting that consolidated Republican votes in the heavily Democratic state.
This outcome matters because it highlights the growing intersection of the art world and electoral politics, with a prominent gallerist leveraging her network—including artists Marilyn Minter, Zoe Buckman, and Todd Gray, and fellow dealers Jessica Silverman, Nicola Vassell, and Gordon VeneKlasen—to raise $2.86 million. Varet’s campaign also underscores the challenges faced by first-time candidates navigating gerrymandered districts and California’s unique primary system. Her loss may discourage other art-world figures from seeking office, while her fundraising success demonstrates the sector’s potential political influence.