A Democratic congressional candidate in California has repeatedly turned her back on the American flag and declined to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at public functions.
Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang skipped the pledge at a Veterans Day ceremony last year, at district meetings on Jan. 22 and March 26, and during a Sacramento City Council session on July 1, 2025, the New York Post (NYP) reported.
Vang has publicly defended her stance, writing a social media post last year that included the hashtags #FreePalestine and #KeepFamiliesTogether. “As much as I love this country, I use that moment to ground myself — to center our communities and remind myself of the injustices and harm that continue to affect so many, both locally and across the globe, under this nation’s influence,” Vang wrote. (RELATED: Blue State School Changes Stance On Pledge Of Allegiance After Family Files Lawsuit)
Vang is one of five challengers facing longtime Democratic Rep. Doris Matsui in California’s 7th Congressional District primary on June 2, CapRadio reported. Matsui has held the seat since 2005.
California congressional candidate refuses to say Pledge of Allegiance, turns back on US flag https://t.co/kCA1zkIBN8 pic.twitter.com/D2b5FxIRYQ
— New York Post (@nypost) May 24, 2026
Polling has Vang running even with Matsui and slightly ahead of Republican Zachariah Wooden, the NYP reported. Conservative-leaning Lodi, Placerville and El Dorado Hills became part of the district through the recent redraw, joining portions of Sacramento and Elk Grove.
Sacramento Democratic political consultant Steve Maviglio called Vang’s conduct “completely disrespectful to veterans and their families,” he told the NYP. “It’s ‘Patriotism 101,’ you say the Pledge of Allegiance even if you don’t agree with everything,” Maviglio said.
Vang was one of two votes against Sacramento’s $1.67 billion city budget in June 2025, ABC10 reported. She faulted the package for shortchanging youth programs while preserving vacant slots in the police department.
Vang previously told CBS13 the council should “reallocate some of the 190+ vacant positions in the police department” to protect youth and family services.
Vang is the daughter of Hmong refugees, the NYP reported. Matsui, 81, was born during World War II at one of the camps where federal authorities had detained Japanese American families, including hers.