Democrat Matsui tears page from Republican Islamophobic playbook in attack ad against Vang

The Doris Matsui campaign tore a page from the Republican playbook as she fights to return to Congress for an 11th term.

Democrat Matsui released a video of their newest commercial as she fights off challenger and fellow Democrat, Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, for California's 7th Congressional District. The video plays on the fears of many conservative and Republican voters' well-documented Islamophobia.

The commercial features the newest Lee Atwater-inspired bogeyman, Hasan Piker. Vang recently appeared on the popular streamer's program, saying it was another way to reach younger voters, particularly young men, who are part of her coalition.

By deploying the not-so-subtle message playing on Islamophobia, Matsui is reaching out to Republican voters. With no Republican candidate in this race, speculation has been that an appeal to conservative voters could tip the scales toward Matsui, and this message could attract conservative, anti-Islamic voters.

For her part, Vang, who won the June primary, has dismissed conventional wisdom and has not moderated her progressive stances for the general election.