The Bee endorses a historic candidate for California’s 7th Congressional District | Opinion

Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang and Rep. Doris Matsui came from humble, difficult beginnings before rising to their respective political leadership roles in Sacramento. Vang’s parents came to Sacramento from Laos, fleeing a country ravaged by war and violence. Matsui was born in an Arizona internment camp during World War II, starting life as an enemy of the state.

Vang, 41, and Matsui, 81, now face one another in a historic race for Congress in California’s 7th District. Matsui is seeking her 13th election to the House of Representatives. She faces her first serious challenger from a fellow Democrat in Vang, a member of the Sacramento City Council since 2020. This race also includes Democrats Enayat Nazhat and Robby Morin, and Republicans Zachariah Wooden and Ralph Nwobi.

Matsui declined requests by The Bee to meet with Vang and the Editorial Board (all our endorsement meetings with candidates — with the exception of the governor’s race — were conducted in groups). This disqualified Matsui from consideration for an endorsement.

It is sadly a reflection of how two remarkable women who began their lives in similar ways have evolved so differently.

Mai Vang embodies today’s Sacramento. Doris Matsui does not.

The Bee endorses Vang for a much-needed and historic changing of the guard for Sacramento in Washington.

Matsui is married to a multimillionaire who co-founded a Virginia-based power company. She will be 82 come the November election and is sadly losing her connection to her roots. She has chosen to distance herself from voters she is supposed to serve. Vang is capable of representing the needs of working class Sacramento families struggling to make ends meet because she is one herself.

Vang has to look no further than her checkbook to know the challenges of these economic times. The eldest of 16 children, Vang has yet to pay off her student loans. Her husband works extra shifts. California’s affordability crisis isn’t some distant problem to Mai Vang. She lives it every single day.

For voters who want a new generation of Democrats in Washington with fire and conviction, Vang is that candidate. On the city council, she was one of two members (the other was former Councilmember Katie Valenzuela) who challenged then-City Manager Howard Chan, who had grown too powerful. She has championed youth causes, particularly greater representation in city government.

Vang’s central campaign message — “to lower costs and fight for working families” — isn’t some abstract slogan. Back in Washington, Vang would be fighting for her own family’s financial survival.

Vang is still in her learning years as an elected official. She has some growing to do as a leader. But she has shown the promise to be a committed and accesible representative. She could also break barriers. There is no Hmong American serving in the United States Congress. How extraordinary it would be if the first came from Sacramento.

Vang is truly a people’s candidate. She has been a tireless advocate for her council district, seemingly everywhere and never afraid to engage a constituent in a discussion. Matsui’s refusal to discuss Sacramento’s future in a conversation with Vang and The Bee is not some exception to the rule. Matsui avoids public meetings requiring spontaneous exchanges. In one virtual “town hall” in 2024, it was clear that both the questions and answers were scripted in advance. Matsui’s eyes moved from left to right as she read the prepared responses.

This congressional district, significantly redrawn last November via the voter-approved Proposition 50, now covers the southern half of Sacramento and heads south to Lodi, west into West Sacramento and east to Placerville and El Dorado County. Much of this territory is even new to Matsui.

Vang will be tasked to champion the needs of new communities and neighborhoods, including the very different challenges facing rural residents. This district is not some haven of privilege. Most voters have much in common with Vang, and little with the incumbent.

This is not a moment in Washington where our leaders from Sacramento represent us from the shadows and rely on scripts. Matsui is in office to serve us, not the other way around.

Vang will never forget her humble beginnings, even if she manages to pay off that student debt while serving us in Washington.