FACT CHECK:

Mai Shows Up for Working Families

Doris Matsui's ads are full of lies. Here’s the truth:

Congresswoman Matsui is spending her corporate-funded warchest to spread misinformation about Mai Vang and her record on regional boards. The public record tells a different story: the heaviest workload on the City Council, a formal recognition of her service from the transit board the ad says she neglected, and messengers who don't meet their own standard.

FACT: Since being elected in 2020, Councilmember Vang has hosted more community town halls, office hours and listening sessions than Doris has hosted in 22 years in office! 

FACT: Mai CURRENTLY Serves on the Sacramento Transit Authority. She was never removed.

  • Heaviest Workload on Council - At the time, Mai was assigned to 16 boards, commissions, and committees at the time. No other councilmember had more than 13. Regional boards often meet at the same time, so council members holding several seats coordinate coverage based on which board needs a quorum and what is on the agenda. (Source)

  • Temporary by design - In 2024, when the District 2 was vacated, Councilmember Vang was asked to temporarily serve in this capacity in case the board needed to reach quorum. Given the significant number of assignments she held at the time, she was meant to serve only in a contingency capacity. This contingency was never activated as the city had enough representation during each meeting.

  • Transitioned Appointments to Councilmember Thao - When Shoun Thao was appointed by the Council to represent District 2, the April 2, 2024 roster (File ID 2024-00851) moved four of Mai's seats to him, including the Transportation Authority. Councilmembers Kaplan and Talamantes gave up seats in the same action.

  • City staff called it routine practice when "circumstances require a new or replacement appointee." (Source)

  • See full list of Councilmember Vang’s committee assignments.

Councilmember serves on the Transportation Authority board today. The ad lies about Mai’s removal and ignores context.

FACT: Mai Vang was recognized for her service on the Sacramento Regional Transit Board

"All members of the Sacramento Regional Transit District Board of Directors hereby commend Mai Vang for her public service, dedication to the community she serves, attention to detail and willingness to provide alternative perspectives on challenging matters."

On January 27, 2025, the SacRT board (which includes Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh Allen) unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-01-003, "Commending Mai Vang," put forward by Chair Rick Jennings. It says she "faithfully represented the City of Sacramento" on the board from January through December 2024. It commends her "public service, dedication to the community she serves, attention to detail and willingness to provide alternative perspectives on challenging matters." (Source)

FACT: Councilmember Vang never missed a critical vote while on the Air Quality Management District

Board minutes show that Mai Vang never missed a single critical vote while serving on the District Board.

Led on pollution controls

Mai moved the board's adoption of the AB 617 emissions standard for internal combustion engines in January 2026.

Fought for her neighborhoods

She served during the board's work on a community emissions reduction plan for South Sacramento-Florin, which includes neighborhoods she represents.

Moved regional work forward

She seconded the architectural coatings rule in July 2024 and the Air District's funding agreement with the Transportation Authority in July 2025.