Sacramento Councilmember Mai Vang challenges longtime Rep. Doris Matsui
Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang officially launched her campaign for California’s 7th Congressional District Tuesday, becoming the highest-profile Democrat to challenge Rep. Doris Matsui during the incumbent’s 20-year tenure.
Vang said her campaign would focus on working families and cited the need for “new leadership” during “dangerous times.”
“The status quo won’t protect and save our communities and loved ones – and that’s why I’m running for Congress,” she said in a news release. “The cost of living is rising, inequality is deepening, immigrant neighbors are under attack, and politics-as-usual has left too many of us behind. Families can’t wait any longer. We need leaders ready to step into the ring and fight.”
The daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos, Vang is the eldest of 16 children and a lifelong resident of south Sacramento. She was elected to the Sacramento City Council in 2020 and represents the 8th District, which includes Meadowview, Valley Hi and other south Sacramento neighborhoods.
Matsui has held her Sacramento congressional seat since 2005, when she won a special election to replace her late husband, Bob Matsui, after his death. She has handily won reelection every two years since, oftentimes without a Democratic primary challenger. Bob Matsui had held the seat since 1979.
In a statement Tuesday, Matsui underlined her record fighting efforts to weaken health care access, clean air regulations and cuts to social services.
“Sacramento has trusted me because I listen, show up, do the work, and deliver results,” the congresswoman said. “I’m running to keep advancing Sacramento’s interests: bringing more resources home, keeping our families safe from floods and wildfires, lowering the cost of living, bringing family sustaining jobs to the region, and continuing to lead locally and nationally on health care, climate, and technology.”
In challenging the 80-year-old incumbent, Vang hopes to channel frustration from young and progressive voters with establishment Democrats who serve for decades and into their twilight years. She’s also pledged not to accept campaign donations from corporate PACs.
“We are ready – and we won’t wait any longer – for change,” she said. “We need new leadership that will prioritize the people, not go along to get along with the corporate PACs. When I’m elected, my only focus will be the working people I represent.”
California’s primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026. The top two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of party, will advance to the general election.
This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 11:01 AM with the headline "Sacramento Councilmember Mai Vang challenges longtime Rep. Doris Matsui."
