Esther Kim Barrett, a Democratic candidate for the California Senate, has ramped up her attacks on Republican Senator Young Kim, labeling the three-term lawmaker’s accent as “very embarrassing.” This comes as Barrett vies to replace Kim, who represents California’s Orange County, in a crowded primary for the midterm elections.
Barrett has faced backlash from Republicans after referring to Kim as “Judas” within the Korean American community and mocking her English proficiency, suggesting that Kim speaks it as a second language. Despite accusations of making racist remarks, Barrett, whose critiques stem from Kim’s political background, continues to assert her stance. In a recent social media post, she mentioned feeling a bit disorganized, saying, “I’ll admit that I’m sloppy. I’m not a politician.” She added that she tends to wear her emotions on her sleeve.
Continuing her sharp rhetoric, Barrett made further disparaging comments about Kim’s background, calling her an “ESL Puppet” and questioning her dedication to the immigrant community, suggesting that Kim has compromised her values for political power. “You don’t even speak English well enough to form a clear argument. It’s embarrassing,” Barrett stated, insisting Kim is a “real life Judas” to their community.
As of Friday, these posts can still be found on Barrett’s Instagram account. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) criticized Barrett’s remarks, describing her as a poorly extreme candidate lacking the respect of California voters. A spokesman for the NRCC labeled her comments as emblematic of the worst political discourse today, asserting that California residents reject such divisive politics.
Barrett’s attacks have ignited calls for other California Democrats to denounce her “racist meltdown.” In a follow-up post, Barrett asserted her support for criticisms directed at Kim’s English skills, challenging anyone to prove her wrong.
The controversy takes place against the backdrop of Kim’s defense of her immigrant background and accent, stating that her experience mirrors that of many Korean Americans who contribute positively to their communities. “I’m proud of my accent, and I will continue to use my voice to uphold American dreams,” she affirmed.
Meanwhile, Barrett, an art dealer with significant financial backing—reportedly around $1.3 million—appears ready for a competitive primary. In comparison, Rep. Kim concluded the second quarter with approximately $4 million on hand. Recent political analyses have classified the race in California’s 40th Congressional District as favoring Republicans.
A spokesperson for Barrett has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these developments.
