Press Release - Second Poll Confirms Mai Vang’s Growing Momentum Over Incumbent Matsui in CA-07

Data for Progress survey finds Vang leading by 8 points after voters learn about both candidates; Matsui underwater on favorability

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 22, 2026

SACRAMENTO, CA — For the second time in two months, a poll of California’s 7th Congressional District shows Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang running even with—and then ahead of—11-term incumbent Rep. Doris Matsui. A new Data for Progress poll of 572 likely primary voters, conducted May 1–5, finds the two Democrats statistically tied on an initial ballot before Vang opens up a significant 8-point lead once voters receive balanced bio information about both candidates. The poll was an outside survey, not commissioned by Vang’s campaign.

The results echo and strengthen findings from a March survey by Upswing Research & Strategy, which first showed Matsui with a small lead. That earlier poll found Vang tied with Matsui at 27 percent among all primary voters and leading among Democrats after introductions. The May data suggests the trajectory has continued in Vang’s favor: after reading neutral bios of both candidates, Vang now leads Matsui 30% to 22% .

“Two polls and the same conclusion: this race has fundamentally shifted in Mai’s favor,” said Vang Campaign Manager Nairka Treviño Müller. “Voters in this district are looking for bold, new change. The more they learn about Mai Vang, the more they realize she is the fighter that this community deserves to take on both Republican extremism and the corporate establishment to deliver a better future for Sacramento’s working families.”

Matsui Enters the Race Underwater

The Data for Progress survey found Matsui with a net favorability rating of –11, with 46% of likely primary voters viewing her unfavorably. Vang holds a net positive favorability of +7, and half of voters say they have not yet heard enough about her to form an opinion—pointing to significant room for growth in the final weeks before the June primary.

A Grassroots-Powered Campaign

Vang has built her campaign without a single dollar from corporate PACs, raising more than $800,000 entirely from grassroots contributors from over 4000 individuals, 97% of whom live in California.

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