Rep. Young Kim's campaign is donating $5,200 in contributions received from Chinese-American media mogul James Su, whose Southern California home and office were recently searched by the FBI as part of a reported foreign-influence probe. The campaign stated the funds will be given to organizations that support victims of human trafficking and prostitution.
"Given those reports, we are donating the funds to organizations that support victims of human trafficking and prostitution, including women like those Congressman Calvert solicited while serving in Congress when he was supposed to be fighting for Californians," Chris Pack, a spokesperson for the Kim campaign, told the California Post. "Since 2018, Young has raised more than $30 million from nearly 200,000 donors. The $5,200 in question were made years ago, and the campaign had no knowledge of the allegations now being reported against him."
Su, who owns a significant Chinese-language media company in the U.S., made two contributions to Kim's campaign: $2,700 in 2018 and $2,500 in 2021, according to Federal Election Commission records. Su has not been charged with a crime in connection with the probe. His media company previously registered as a foreign agent after a Reuters investigation indicated it was backed by a Chinese state-run radio organization.
Political Rivalry Intensifies
The controversy has become a focal point in the increasingly contentious Republican primary battle between Kim and Rep. Ken Calvert. Both incumbents are competing for the same congressional seat in California's newly redrawn 40th Congressional District.
Calvert's campaign seized on the donation issue, accusing Kim of failing to address concerns about Su until the payments attracted public scrutiny. "It is deeply concerning that Young Kim took thousands of dollars from a registered Chinese foreign agent who is running a Chinese Communist Party media outlet. She didn’t return the money because it was the right thing to do but because she got caught and the media started asking questions about her ties to Su," stated Calvin Moore, a spokesperson for the Calvert campaign. "Voters deserve an explanation as to why she turned a blind eye to foreign influence for years, and what other questionable cash she might be hiding."
Kim's campaign defended her record. "In her short time in Congress, Young Kim has quickly established herself as one of the leading critics of the Chinese Communist Party and has even been targeted by the CCP and threatened with arrest," Pack said. "It’s laughable that 32-year, do-nothing incumbent Ken Calvert would suggest otherwise."
Calvert finished first in the June all-party primary with 34.9% of the vote, while Kim received 20.6%. The top two finishers advance to the November general election regardless of party affiliation. The redistricting process has forced the two Republican incumbents into a direct contest for the seat.
Broader Scrutiny of Donations
The FBI raids have also drawn renewed attention to Su's political donations to other elected officials. Rep. Judy Chu, who represents a neighboring district, has received $25,800 from Su over the years, according to the Los Angeles Times. Chu stated she is awaiting further information from federal investigators before deciding on a course of action regarding the contributions. "These investigations must be taken with the utmost seriousness, because we cannot allow corruption and illegal foreign influence to infect the government and media," Chu commented.