Mai Vang files paperwork with Federal Election Commission to challenge Doris Matsui for CA Congressional District 7

Paperwork filed yesterday with the Federal Election Commission shows that Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang is running for Congress. The filing states that Ms. Vang is running as a Democratic Candidate for California's Congressional District 7.

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Democratic incumbent Doris Matsui currently represents CA District 7 and is expected to seek another term in 2026. Ms. Matsui, who will be 82 next year, has served the Sacramento area in Congress since 2005, when she was elected to the seat previously held by her late husband, Robert Matsui.  

Widespread knowledge of Vang's candidacy first appeared last week in an opinion piece by Marco Breton of the Sacramento Bee. An Elk Grove News reader provided us with a tip regarding Ms. Vang's filing (see the document below).    

Vang filed a Form 1, which is the Statement of Organization that must be filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) when a political committee is created. In simple terms, it's the paperwork that officially registers a campaign committee with the federal government.

For candidates like Vang, it establishes the campaign's legal and financial entity that will raise and spend money.

We have contacted Vang seeking comment and to validate their intentions. As of 9 p.m. today, we have not received a response.