CA Congressional Candidate Refuses Pledge of Allegiance
Sacramento councilwoman Mai Vang's repeated refusal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance has drawn bipartisan criticism as she challenges incumbent Democrat Doris Matsui for Congress.
Councilwoman Mai Vang is seeking to unseat longtime Democratic Representative Doris Matsui in the June primary election for California’s 7th congressional district, as Breitbart News reports. Despite polling neck-and-neck with the incumbent and slightly ahead of Republican challenger Zachariah Wooden, Vang’s refusal to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance has drawn sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
Vang, the daughter of Hmong refugees, has declined to recite the Pledge on multiple occasions, including at a Veterans Day ceremony last year, district meetings on January 22 and March 26, and a Sacramento City Council meeting on July 1, 2025, according to the California Post.
Strategic miscalculation in redrawn district
Political observers warn that Vang’s stance may prove particularly damaging in the recently redrawn 7th congressional district, which now includes more conservative areas such as Lodi, Placerville, and El Dorado Hills. San Joaquin Republican Party chairman David Cushman told the Post that Vang appears to be attempting to replicate the image of far-left Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Her strategy is badly misjudged and really bad fit for the district, Cushman said, noting that the Central Valley is not comparable to Ocasio-Cortez’s New York district or Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco stronghold.
Democratic consultant calls behavior disrespectful
Steve Maviglio, a Democratic political consultant in Sacramento, condemned Vang’s actions as completely disrespectful to veterans and their families. He emphasized that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance represents basic patriotism, regardless of political disagreements.
In February 2025, Vang defended her refusal to recite the Pledge in a Facebook post that included the hashtag “FreePalestine.” She wrote that while she loves the country, she uses the moment to ground herself and reflect on injustices affecting communities locally and globally under the nation’s influence. She framed her silence as resistance against complacency and a stand for equity, justice, and humanity.
Critics highlight refugee family history
Critics have pointed out the contradiction between Vang’s political stance and the safety her family found in America as refugees following the Vietnam War. Vang has stated that her parents fled Laos after the CIA recruited Hmong communities to fight during that conflict, which left many families displaced and targeted after the U.S. withdrawal.
California Republican Party chair Corrin Rankin said Vang’s behavior reflects broader problems within the Democratic Party, including contempt for law enforcement and insufficient respect for the country. Rankin told the Post that voters want leaders who respect police and honor the flag, and when a candidate cannot meet that basic test, it tells voters everything they need to know.
Republican challenger seizes opening
Wooden, a first-time Republican candidate, has a potential opportunity to finish in the top two spots and advance to the November runoff. He told the Post that hearing someone who wants to serve in Congress appears disinterested in major symbols of American pride is not just disappointing but malicious. He characterized much of Vang’s rhetoric as a rejection of basic American values.
The June primary will test whether Vang’s progressive positioning can overcome concerns about patriotism and respect for national symbols in a district that has shifted to include more moderate and conservative voters outside the Sacramento urban core.
With information from Breitbart News
