Sacramento City Council member who accuses Israel of ‘genocide’ leads California Democratic primary for Congress

Sacramento City Council member Mai Vang, who has accused Israel of "genocide" in Gaza, finished first in California's 7th Congressional District primary, ahead of incumbent Rep. Doris Matsui. Vang secured 31.2% of the vote compared to Matsui's 29.1%, advancing both to the general election under California's top-two primary system. Vang's campaign calls to "stop the genocide in Palestine" and supports ending military aid to Israel, while Matsui, despite past support for Israel, has recently criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "war criminal." Political science lecturer Dan Schnur noted that "Vang is currently riding a wave of progressive energy that has been deciding Democratic primaries across the country." Henry Olsen of the Ethics and Public Policy Center suggests Matsui will likely win the general election due to potential Republican support.