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D Democratic · U.S. House 7, California · Nov 3, 2026

Mai
Vang

Sacramento City Councilmember and Ethnic Studies lecturer running as the 2026 Democratic candidate for California's 7th Congressional District

Researched checked 6 d ago
sources
17
positions
9
endorsements
10
maiforus.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Bluesky(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Doris Matsui D Compare race →

Background

Mai Vang is a Sacramento native and Democratic politician currently serving as a Sacramento City Councilmember representing District 8, a position she has held since 2020. She also teaches in the Department of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Sacramento, and has recently taught at UC Davis. 12

Before her City Council tenure, Vang served on the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education, Area 5, from 2016 to 2020, and was executive director of the Buck Scholars Association, which supports high school students through mentorship and scholarships. She is also a co-founder of Hmong Innovating Politics and has a background in community organizing focused on health and education in South Sacramento. 121

Vang holds bachelor's degrees in Biology and Sociology from the University of San Francisco and dual master's degrees in Public Health and Asian American Studies from UCLA. She was born and raised in Sacramento and resides in the Meadowview neighborhood of South Sacramento. 113

For the November 3, 2026 general election, Vang is the Democratic candidate for California's 7th Congressional District, running for the U.S. House of Representatives. She is not the incumbent in that race; the longtime incumbent has been identified as Doris Matsui. 4718

At a glance

Party
Democratic
Running for
U.S. House · District 7, California
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Sacramento City Councilmember, District 8
Website
maiforus.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 10
    news
    Candidate guide outlines Vang's campaign themes: Medicare for All, affordability, anti-corporate PAC stance

    A candidate guide reported Vang's campaign themes as affordability, Medicare for All, and opposition to corporate PAC funding. Vang described her bid as a fight for people 'the establishment' ignores.

    2026 Election: U.S. House of Representatives, District 7 · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Sep 30
    endorsement
    A New Policy PAC endorses Mai Vang in CA-7 race

    A New Policy PAC announced its endorsement of Vang in her race against incumbent Doris Matsui.

    A New Policy PAC Endorses Mai Vang · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 30
    news
    Vang confirms planned fundraising stream appearance with Hasan Piker on October 14

    Vang's campaign confirmed she planned to appear on streamer Hasan Piker's fundraising stream on October 14. Vang said Piker's audience is 'young, engaged and ready to vote.' Matsui's campaign criticized the planned appearance.

    Matsui campaign slams Vang for planned fundraiser with streamer Hasan Piker · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 28
    debate
    Vang campaign says Matsui declined additional debate invitations from KCRA and Sacramento Bee

    Vang's campaign said Matsui declined further debate or forum invitations, including from KCRA and The Sacramento Bee. Matsui's account was not included in the report.

    Vang Calls Matsui ‘Confused’ Over Debate Refusals · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 22
    endorsement
    Vang reported to hold endorsements from NUHW, SEIU California, and Working Families Party

    ABC10 reported Vang had endorsements from the National Union of Healthcare Workers, SEIU California, and the Working Families Party. The California Federation of Labor Unions endorsed both Vang and Matsui.

    Where do they stand? Hear from CA Seventh Congressional District candidates Doris Matsui and Mai Vang · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Aug 27
    debate
    Vang and Matsui clash at Sacramento congressional debate

    Vang and Matsui appeared together at a Sacramento debate, clashing over health care, military spending, and Matsui's congressional experience.

    Where do they stand? Hear from CA Seventh Congressional District candidates Doris Matsui and Mai Vang · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Aug 18
    poll
    Poll shows Vang leading Matsui 32% to 28% in CA-7 general election race

    A Data for Progress poll conducted August 18–21 of 651 respondents put Vang at 32% and Matsui at 28%. This is the most recent general-election poll found in sources reviewed.

    Matsui Attacks Mai Vang; Vang Calls It Desperation - Elk Grove News · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Jun 2
    news
    Mai Vang finishes first in CA-7 primary with 31.2%, advancing to general election

    Vang finished first in the California 7th District primary with 31.2% of votes to incumbent Doris Matsui's 29.1%. Both Democrats advanced to the November ballot.

    Where do they stand? Hear from CA Seventh Congressional District candidates Doris Matsui and Mai Vang · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • United Auto Workers Region 6 union
    Endorsed Vang; named in campaign's labor-endorsement announcement. No separate date stated. maiforus.com
  • California Nurses Association / National Nurses United union
    Campaign lists California Nurses Association among union endorsers; National Nurses United endorsement page lists Vang for CA-07. No specific endorsement date established. nationalnursesunited.org
  • Justice Democrats organization
    Listed as an endorser in a current voter-guide profile; no announcement date established in sources reviewed. ivoterguide.com
  • National Union of Healthcare Workers union
    Listed by campaign as an endorser; ABC10 also reported its support on September 22, 2026. abc10.com
  • Sunrise Movement organization
    Listed alongside Vang in an endorsement listing; no announcement date established in sources reviewed. sway.co
  • A New Policy PAC organization
    Announced endorsement on September 30, 2026. anewpolicypac.org · Sep 30, 2026
  • SEIU California union
    ABC10 reported its endorsement on September 22, 2026. abc10.com · Sep 22, 2026
  • California Working Families Party organization
    Endorsed Vang; WFP's California page identifies her as its CA-7 candidate, and a June 10, 2026 update noted she advanced to the general election. Also reported by ABC10 on September 22, 2026. workingfamilies.org · Jun 10, 2026
  • The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board newspaper
    Endorsed Vang; campaign announcement cites April 22, 2026. The Bee's own editorial coverage also records the endorsement. sacbee.com · Apr 22, 2026
  • California Federation of Labor Unions union
    Endorsed Vang and Rep. Doris Matsui jointly; campaign press page lists a release dated March 18, 2026. maiforus.com · Mar 18, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$1.09M
Spent
$981K
Cash on hand
$106K

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6CA07175(opens in a new tab)

Sources 17

  1. [1] Mai Vang for U.S. House of Representatives(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
  2. [2] 2026 Election: U.S. House of Representatives, District 7(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  3. [3] Voter Guide Profile for CA U.S. Rep., Dist. 7 candidate - Mai Vang(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  4. [4] Matsui Attacks Mai Vang; Vang Calls It Desperation - Elk Grove News(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  5. [5] Press Statements & Releases - Mai Vang for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  6. [6] Platform — Mai Vang for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
  7. [7] Mai Vang — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  8. [8] A New Policy PAC Endorses Mai Vang(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  9. [9] Matsui campaign slams Vang for planned fundraiser with streamer Hasan Piker(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
  10. [10] Vang Calls Matsui ‘Confused’ Over Debate Refusals(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  11. [11] Where do they stand? Hear from CA Seventh Congressional District candidates Doris Matsui and Mai Vang(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  12. [12] Matsui, Vang clash in Sacramento Elmhurst debate - KCRA(opens in a new tab) Aug 28, 2026
  13. [13] Media — Mai Vang for Congress(opens in a new tab) Jul 31, 2026
  14. [14] Bee endorses Mai Vang over Doris Matsui in 7th District(opens in a new tab) May 31, 2026
  15. [15] California - Working Families Party(opens in a new tab) Feb 11, 2026
  16. [16] Sacramento approves $2 million ShotSpotter deal despite ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2025
  17. [17] NNU Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Mar 9, 2018
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