The race for California’s 7th Congressional District is heating up, with longtime Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang making their cases to voters at a public forum in Sacramento.<\/p>\n
The two Democrats faced off at the Coloma Community Center, where they disagreed over their records, experience and vision for the district.<\/p>\n
Vang finished first in the June primary and is challenging Matsui, who has represented the area in Congress since 2005.<\/p>\n
The candidates sparred over experience, with Vang arguing that she has more governing experience than Matsui had when she first ran for Congress.<\/p>\n
“This argument about I don’t have the experience, I am older than Bob Matsui when he ran for congress. I have more governing experience than the congresswoman when she first ran,” Vang said.<\/p>\n
Matsui pointed to her experience working in the White House.<\/p>\n
“I worked in the White House for six years, that is probably the best experience you can get as far as Washington goes. Don’t bring Bob Matsui into this discussion. We are talking about the race now,” Matsui said.<\/p>\n
The two also discussed health care, flood protection and immigration. Both candidates oppose the Delta tunnel project and criticized how ICE is operating.<\/p>\n
Their differences were sharper when the discussion turned to Israel.<\/p>\n
“They all want peace and we have to get to a place where we can do that. We start pointing fingers and people go into their corners and we can never bring people together. I don’t want this war either, it’s not our war. It’s their war,” Matsui said.<\/p>\n
Vang took a different position.<\/p>\n
“If we want peace, then we have to stop using our tax dollars to aid in a genocide period,” Vang said.<\/p>\n
Vang also challenged Matsui over campaign money, asking whether she would return corporate PAC money she has received.<\/p>\n
“Would you return all the corporate PAC money that you have received? Thousands of dollars, half of your war chest is funded by corporations,” Vang said.<\/p>\n
Matsui rejected the suggestion that campaign contributions influence her.<\/p>\n
“I don’t sell out at all for anything at all,” Matsui said.<\/p>\n
In a crowded room, some voters had already made up their minds.<\/p>\n
Mai Vang supporter Rachel Gregg said she felt fortunate to choose between two qualified women candidates, but said Vang had her vote.<\/p>\n
Doris Matsui supporter David Aleman said Matsui stood out because of her history in Congress.<\/p>\n
“I think Doris really stood out because she has, she’s got history, man. She’s been in there and I don’t agree with totally everything she does, but I do know that she has been a good congressperson,” Aleman said.<\/p>\n
The candidates also used the forum to make their closing arguments to voters.<\/p>\n
“The contrast between me and my opponent can not be more stark. I am a workhorse, not a show horse. I am focus on solution, not slogans,” Matsui said.<\/p>\n
Vang framed the choice as one between the status quo and a new generation of leadership.<\/p>\n
“Do we want business as usual or do we want new generation of leaders. As a city council member, I am no stranger to taking on the establishment and delivering for working people,” Vang said.<\/p>\n
The general election is Nov. 3. Between now and then, both campaigns will be working to turn the momentum from the forum into votes.<\/p>\n