The Sacramento Bee backs Mai Vang over Doris Matsui in 7th District race. Here’s what to know

The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board has endorsed Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang over 12-term Rep. Doris Matsui in California’s 7th Congressional District primary. The Bee called for a “historic changing of the guard” in a race that could send the first Hmong American to Congress.

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

Here are key takeaways:

• Vang, 41, is challenging Matsui, 81, who is seeking her 13th election to the House. The race also includes Democrats Enayat Nazhat and Robby Morin, and Republicans Zachariah Wooden and Ralph Nwobi.
• Matsui declined to meet with Vang and the Editorial Board, which disqualified her from endorsement consideration. The Bee said Matsui avoids public meetings requiring spontaneous exchanges and has read scripted answers at virtual town halls.
• The Bee said Vang represents working-class Sacramento families. The eldest of 16 children, she has yet to pay off her student loans, and her husband works extra shifts.
• On the City Council since 2020, Vang challenged then-City Manager Howard Chan and championed youth causes. The Bee said she is still in her learning years but shows promise as an accessible representative.
• The 7th District was significantly redrawn last November under voter-approved Proposition 50. It now covers southern Sacramento and stretches to Lodi, West Sacramento, Placerville and El Dorado County.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.

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