California 7th District
Doris Matsui (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Doris Matsui
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 38 of 121 votes and bills.
Raised $7,837,819 since January 2025: 69% the candidate’s own money, 15% from PACs and other committees, 15% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Mai Vang
Democrat · Sacramento city councilmember and teacher
FLiberty Score F9 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Vang has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Vang.
Raised $1,828,418 since January 2025: 94% from people, 6% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Doris Matsui. Doris Matsui: F, 28 out of 100 from recorded votes. Mai Vang: F, 9 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in California: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Mai Vang, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Vang, so the grade above comes from this list: what Vang has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Her platform lists Iran among conflicts where she says the mission must be to protect life, and names no policy on the regime in Iran.
“Today, as conflict devastates communities from Gaza to Iran to Ukraine to Sudan, our mission must be to protect life”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No sanctions, deal or strike policy toward Iran is named, so it does not settle the measure.
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Her platform says she will fight to end military aid that enables war crimes and the occupation of Gaza.
“In Congress, I will fight to end military aid that enables war crimes and the occupation of Gaza.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting off military aid for the war in Gaza is against liberty on free nations.
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Her platform says she will sign onto the Block the Bombs legislation that stops weapons flowing to Gaza.
“legislation to stop the flow of weapons used to kill innocent civilians.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Backing a bill that stops weapons going to the Gaza war is against liberty on free nations.
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Her platform lists Ukraine among conflicts and says she will redirect tax dollars from endless wars abroad, naming no policy on Ukraine or NATO.
“I will fight to redirect our tax dollars from endless wars abroad into healthcare and housing here at home.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No aid to Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO position is named, so it does not settle the measure.
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Said she will fight for Medicare for All.
“medicare for all, so no one chooses between rent and seeing a doctor.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
the free markets test counts government-run health care for all as against.
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Her platform says she will vote to make billionaires pay their fair share and close corporate loopholes.
“I'll vote to make billionaires pay their fair share and close corporate loopholes”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Higher taxes on the wealthy are against liberty on free markets.
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Her platform says she will be an advocate for Medicare for All to make health care a right for every American.
“I will be a relentless advocate for Medicare for All to guarantee healthcare as a right for every American.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets.
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Her platform calls the Trump tariffs a hidden tax on working families and small businesses.
“Donald Trump's illegal tariffs acted as a hidden tax on every working family and small business in our region.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating broad tariffs as a harm is with liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign site says she worked to pass Sacramento's first Racial Equity Resolution, which requires equity training for the Mayor and Council.
“Worked alongside residents to pass Sacramento's first Racial Equity Resolution, which requires equity training for the Mayor and Council and builds a racial equity lens into how the city operates.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A mandated equity training and equity lens in government is against liberty on equal rights.
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Said she wants tax dollars spent at home rather than on foreign wars, without naming a defence budget figure.
“make sure our tax dollars are spent here at home not for more foreign wars.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No budget cut or increase is named, so the defense test is not settled.
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Said the country needs a legal process that gives immigrants a pathway to citizenship.
“we need a legal process to make sure that our immigrants have a pathway to citizenship.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
the borders test counts a path to citizenship as against.
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Her platform says she will fight for a comprehensive pathway to citizenship including permanent protection for Dreamers and TPS recipients.
“In Congress, I will fight for a comprehensive pathway to citizenship that moves our neighbors out of the shadows and provides permanent protection for Dreamers and TPS recipients.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for those here illegally is against liberty on borders.
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Her platform says she fought to make Sacramento a sanctuary city and is working to ban ICE from city property.
“I fought to make Sacramento a sanctuary city and am working to ban ICE from city property.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Sanctuary policies and limits on ICE are against liberty on borders.
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Her platform says ICE cannot be reformed and sets out how to abolish ICE.
“ICE cannot be reformed.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is against liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
California 7th District
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