Not Letting a Crisis Go to Waste, Rep. Matsui Appears at Food Distribution Event

The adage in politics about never letting a crisis go to waste is being played out across the political spectrum amid the current record-setting federal shutdown.

This was evident today in California's 7th Congressional District, during a culturally relevant food distribution event organized by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen in response to President Donald Trump's suspension of SNAP nutrition benefits. Appearing at the event was U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif. 7th District) See video below

Matsui has served the Sacramento area in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2005. Despite, or perhaps because of her lengthy tenure, many Democratic Party activists and progressives have portrayed Matsui as out of touch with her constituents and part of the Democratic Party establishment that has not stood up to Trump.

These complaints have led to Matsui facing the first viable challenger since entering office. Progressive Democrat and Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang has launched a spirited and youth-oriented campaign against Matsui, which has garnered nationwide attention.

In the past, Matsui has maintained a relatively low profile and voted in line with Democratic Party leadership edicts. Since Ms. Vang entered the race, Matsui has become more visible, and she has even recently held a hastily organized town hall meeting, which is something she has rarely done.

Yesterday, Matsui also held a news conference with other representatives from nutrition and food bank advocates, decrying the suspension of SNAP. Given that Congress is not in session and the pressure being applied by Vang's throng of enthused supporters, expect Matsui to continue pseudo-campaigning.

While Vang has a spirited following, the Sacramento and Washington, DC Democratic establishment, including figures such as Assemblymember Nguyen and Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, are supporting Matsui's reelection.