By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang launched her campaign for Congress on Tuesday, setting up a Democratic primary challenge to longtime incumbent Rep. Doris Matsui.
Matsui, 80, has held California’s 7th Congressional District seat since 2005 following the death of her husband, Rep. Robert Matsui, who first was elected to Congress in 1978. Since then, she has become one of California’s longest-serving members of Congress.
Outside the Pannell Community Center in Meadowview, Vang told The OBSERVER her decision to run for Congress came after weeks of encouragement from community members. Vang framed her candidacy as an answer to what she described as a dangerous time in American politics. “I understand the lived struggles of our working families, and now more than ever it’s important to make sure that we have leaders who can meet this moment,” she said. “Politics-as-usual isn’t going to protect our families and our communities, and we need leaders who can be clear and courageous about issues happening at this moment.”
After a conversation with her uncle, Vang “realized that we are living in a moment that’s incredibly dangerous, and many of our families are under attack, and we need leaders who can stand up, be bold, and fight back.”
Vang, 40, the daughter of Hmong refugees and wife of the son of immigrants, said her family’s story gives her a personal stake in debates about immigration reform. She noted that members of her extended family include refugees, DREAMers, and others without permanent legal status who have faced long waits in the system. She argued that Congress must create “a clear and legal pathway to citizenship for our DREAMers, for undocumented immigrants or refugees, and so that’s going to be my commitment.”
Vang’s campaign plans an in-person rally at William Land Park on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Her announcement coincides with heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement in Sacramento.
Matsui recently has pressed for greater accountability from Immigration and Customs Enforcement after reports of people being detained inside the John E. Moss Federal Building downtown. Over the past month, she twice was denied unannounced entry before finally being allowed to tour the facility. Matsui earlier had written to ICE officials, warning that holding people overnight in an office space not designed as a detention center could violate federal standards for water, privacy, and ventilation. After her tour, she described the facility as “sanitized” and “clean,” but stressed that those impressions did not erase the concerns constituents had raised about treatment and due process.
While Vang said she valued Matsui’s work on the recent issues with ICE in detaining people at the federal courthouse, she argued the bigger concern is the conduct and budget of federal immigration agencies. She questioned why ICE has continued detaining community members and why its funding has grown under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Vang insisted she is not deterred by the longtime incumbent’s seniority or fundraising resources. She herself has more than a decade of experience in community organizing and policymaking and is used to challenging establishment politicians. She plans to pave a path to victory by speaking to the working issues of Sacramento families and said the strategy will be built on a grassroots approach, including door-to-door outreach and small-dollar donations.
“I’m not taking any corporate PAC [money],” she said.
Vang called addressing the rising cost of living her top priority, saying that families are struggling to afford housing and health care. She drew a contrast with Matsui on health policy, declaring her support for Medicare for all to ensure universal access to care. On foreign policy, she pointed to proposed legislation, House Resolution 3565, that would cut off aid to Israel in response to its military campaign in Gaza. Matsui has not endorsed it.
“If I were a congresswoman, I would sign on to that bill,” Vang said.
Outside the Pannell Community Center, lifelong Sacramento resident Dwight Armstrong paused on his way to a senior exercise class to ask about the news.
When told Vang was running for Matsui’s congressional seat, Armstrong told her, “You know I’m glad you’re running. You got my vote.”
Armstrong added that he believes Democrats have not fought hard enough against Republicans, and expressed disappointment with the Congressional Black Caucus, which he accused of not doing enough. He said he has been frustrated watching party leaders allow the White House to set the agenda, citing recent attempts to oust Lisa Cook as Federal Reserve governor and broader attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that have disproportionately cost people of color and women their jobs. “I’m ashamed of the Democratic party for not fighting back,” Armstrong said. “I don’t understand it.
“I liked Ms. Matsui. She did a good job but it’s time for change.”
Vang shared his frustration and told Armstrong that “politics-as-usual, has left our families behind, and that’s one of the reasons why I’m stepping in the ring to fight for you and fight for working families.”
Armstrong then brought up a high-visibility immigration raid July 17 at the Home Depot on Florin Road, saying he was disheartened to see hardworking men mistreated and detained by ICE. He said he believes discrimination is driving this approach to immigration more than the explanations offered by the White House. “These are people who are just trying to work,” Armstrong said.
The raid resulted in at least nine arrests of undocumented immigrants and others. Among those detained was a U.S. citizen who was filming the scene and reportedly was maced.
“We need a legal process to make sure that our immigrants have a pathway to citizenship. Many of them are contributing citizens,” Vang said. “And the other piece is that we also have to overturn the recent Supreme Court rulings where you could be picked up based on your race, the language that you speak, if you’re working a low-wage job. And so we have a lot of work to do in this country.”
Vang said her record shows she is prepared for that fight. She described herself as consistently taking bold, principled stands, whether on the school board or the City Council. She said she intends to bring “the same leadership, the same heart and hustle to Washington, D.C.”
She also made clear her intentions in supporting African American and Black constituents, pointing to her background as a community organizer raised in South Sacramento. She said the struggles of Hmong, Black, and other marginalized communities are deeply connected, and that progress for one benefits all.
“I look forward to fighting for our Black community and I plan to take that fight to D.C.,” she said.
The political landscape surrounding the race is beginning to take shape. The mayors of Sacramento, Elk Grove and West Sacramento all have endorsed Matsui, signaling their loyalty to the establishment and underscoring the challenge Vang faces