For the first time in two decades, Congresswoman Doris Matsui faces a challenge from an elected official. Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang announced today that she will run for Congress in California’s 7th District, a seat Matsui and her late husband have held for nearly half a century.
The announcement sets up a race that could test the stronghold of the longtime Matsui family name. Vang, the daughter of Hmong refugees and a longtime community organizer, is framing her candidacy as a grassroots alternative to Matsui.
“Over the past few weeks, several community members have asked me to consider running for the seat,” Vang said. “And after speaking with my family and loved ones, I’ve decided to run for Congress.”
She added that her immigrant background informs her approach to politics.
“As a daughter of Hmong refugees, someone who is married to a son of Mexican immigrants, I understand the day-to-day struggle of our working families,” she said.
Vang says that her campaign will refuse corporate PAC money, a direct challenge to the way Matsui has funded her campaigns.
“We won’t be taking corporate PAC [money] and when I’m elected, my focus will only be on working people I represent, not the billionaires,” Vang said. “This will be a grassroots campaign, the people versus the establishment.”
In her last campaign during 2024, Matsui raised nearly $872,000 from PACs. That accounts for about 70 percent of her total contributions. Only around 2 percent of her funding came from small-dollar donations under $200.
“I’m proud to say our campaign will be fully grassroots,” Vang said. “We need new leadership that will prioritize the people, not go along to get along with corporate PACs.”
In response to Vang’s announcement, Matsui says democrats should work together as the nation faces the Trump administration.
Democratic Congresswoman Doris Matsui Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, outside of the John Moss Federal Building in downtown Sacramento.(Gerardo Zavala/CapRadio)
“This is a democracy, and I’m not going to tell people what to do. I can only control what’s in front of me right now,” she said.
Matsui defended her record, pointing to her role on committees shaping health care, energy and technology policy.
“I do the work. While others may chase headlines, I really focus on the deadlines that move projects forward,” she said. “I measure success by positive changes that I see for people at home.”
Vang is centering her run on her lived experience as a Sacramentan.
The race is expected to draw national attention, not only because of Matsui’s seniority but also because of looming redistricting changes.
California’s new Prop. 50 map would reshape the 7th District, reducing the Democratic advantage from about 50 percent to 43 percent, while boosting Republican registration from 20 percent to 28 percent.
“I grew up here and so the lived experience alone is the difference between me and the current congresswoman,” she said. “One of my top priorities as your next congresswoman is to tackle the high cost of living. Our families are living paycheck to paycheck in this moment.”
On immigration, Vang says her policy approach is deeply personal.
“I have family members who are undocumented, who wake up every morning afraid that they may be separated from their families,” Vang said. “We need to reform our immigration system… and we have to ensure that we create fair and accessible pathways to legal status and citizenship.”
Community advocates like Keyan Bliss, a regular presence and advocate at Sacramento City Council meetings, argue that Matsui no longer represents the community with the same urgency.
“In all honesty, Doris Matsui has long been in need of serious competition and serious challenge given her long-standing tenure,” Bliss said. “She’s grown complicit and comfortable in that position to the point where she no longer really feels that she even needs to grace her constituents here in the district with her presence.”
The Sacramento Bee editorial board recently published a column criticizing Matsui, saying she is unavailable to the public. Bliss added that when Matsui does make moves, it is often in private.
“That’s always in back room… only to make deals that ultimately benefit developers, her campaign contributors, as well as members of city council and county board,” he said.
He also criticized Matsui’s recent handling of immigration oversight, pointing to her attempts to enter the John E. Moss Federal Building after reports that immigrants were being detained in unsafe conditions.
“It was largely performative,” Bliss said. “She was denied entry three times before they finally granted her [access], more than enough time for them to hide any gross human rights violations.”
At the time, CapRadio reported on Matsui’s effort, which she described as a “surprise inspection.” She told reporters that she was blocked at the entrance by ICE after trying to claim she had congressional oversight of the building.
NorCal Resist, a Sacramento-based immigrant rights group, also raised concerns about the facility, reporting that detainees were left with little food or water and sometimes slept on bare floors. Advocates said Matsui’s visit was appreciated but called on elected officials to take a stronger stance.
Bliss shares that sentiment. For him, Vang’s record at City Hall has shown him a stark difference in leadership.
“She’s honestly shown as one of the most principled members of City Council,” he said. “She’s not just looking for the easy win, she’s looking to make sure she’s actually listening to and speaking to the shared needs and values of our community.”
He added that Vang could finally force Matsui to engage more directly.
“Even if she doesn’t end up winning, maybe we can actually force Matsui to expand her horizons a bit, to show a little bit more humility in engaging with her constituents here in Sacramento,” Bliss said.
The Matsui family has represented Sacramento in Congress since 1979, giving them unmatched influence in Sacramento. Bob Matsui served for 26 years before his death, and Doris has now held it for nearly 20.
Vang acknowledged the weight of that history but argued that change is overdue.
“I have deep gratitude for the Matsui family that has served almost five decades… but we need leaders that can meet this moment,” she said.
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