Incumbent Doris Matsui (D) and Mai Vang (D) are running in the general election for California's 7th Congressional District on November 3, 2026.

CalMatters' Maya C. Miller said Matsui "touts her experience securing federal funding for local projects and her ability to work across party lines ... Her massive fundraising advantage has enabled her to flood the airwaves and voters’ mailboxes with millions of dollars in traditional television ads and mailers," while Vang "wants to prove that money and seniority aren’t enough anymore to win a seat in Congress. She has relied on door-to-door canvassing, in-person events and an active social media presence to introduce herself to voters." The Sacramento Bee's Matthew Miranda said Matsui "has routinely highlighted her experience and pointed to her record of delivering federal resources to the Sacramento region," and Vang "has centered her campaign on generational change, progressive policies and a focus on working-class families."

Matsui was first elected to the House in 2005. She earlier served in the Clinton Administration and worked as a professional advocate. Her campaign website says, "Doris Matsui has fought for us — bringing billions of dollars home for flood protection, healthcare, clean energy, and local jobs. Now, as our community faces rising costs and new threats from Washington, she’s still getting things done." The Democratic Party of California, U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D) and Adam Schiff (D), and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) endorsed Matsui.

Vang was elected to the Sacramento City Council in 2020. Vang completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. In her survey response, Vang said, "Mai Vang will clean up a Washington that works for the wealthy and well-connected. Politicians in both parties rig the system for their donors, and working families pay the price." California Senate Majority Leader Angelique Ashby (D), the Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party, and the Sacramento branch of the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed Vang.

The election is taking place in the context of redistricting that changed the district's boundaries from those used in 2024. Stocktonia's Chris Woodyard wrote, "Rural communities often include more conservative voters than Matsui’s home turf in Sacramento. More moderate voters may be more likely to cast their ballot for Matsui than Vang, her more liberal 41-year-old opponent."

In the top-two primary, Vang placed first with 31.2% of the vote and Matsui received 29.1%. Two Republican candidates received a combined 37.0% and two other Democrats received a combined 2.8%.

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 120th Congress. All 435 U.S. House districts are up for election.

Currently, Republicans have a 219-214 majority with two vacancies in the U.S. House.