SACRAMENTO BEE: BEE ENDORSEMENT - MATSUI HAS SERVED IN CONGRESS FOR TWO DECADES. SHOULD SHE BE RE-ELECTED? | OPINION

For nearly two decades, Congresswoman Doris Matsui has represented the Sacramento region as a champion for clean energy, health care and technology. The district is centered in Sacramento and includes Elk Grove, West Sacramento, Wilton and Rancho Murieta.

Notably, also located in District 7 is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. In Congress, Matsui has prioritized the issue of flood control and helped secure $4 billion in investments in local flood protections.

“Sacramento likes results, and it’s my job to deliver,” the congresswoman said.

California’s 7th Congressional District, which Matsui currently represents, was recently redistricted to include the city of Galt. That’s where her Republican challenger Tom Silva is from.

A 17-year resident of Galt, Silva was a member of the armed forces for 33 years and school board member of the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District for four years. Silva, who unsuccessfully ran for Galt City Council in 2022, knows his community well, but he is less acquainted with the rest of District 7. His limited knowledge of the needs of the Sacramento region pales in comparison to Matsui’s decades of leadership. He’s not ready for Congress.

Also running against Matsui is human rights attorney David Mandel, a Democrat who is locally involved with Jewish Voice for Peace, the National Lawyers Guild International Committee, Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento, the Progressive Caucus of the state Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America.

This is a pivotal moment in American politics. Globally, the planet’s future remains in a perilous state; nationally, democracy is under siege; and statewide, California battles multiple crises simultaneously. From housing to homelessness, to home insurance prices and the ever-present threat of wildfires, this district needs a leader with experience. Based on her years in public office, Matsui easily understands these issues better than her opponents. She earns our endorsement, and it’s not even close.

Women’s reproductive health and access to abortion care remains a priority for the congresswoman, who cosponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act, the governmental response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court which would create a new legal protection to ensure that all patients and providers can access abortion care.

“The fight to preserve abortion access and reproductive rights nationwide is crucial,” Matsui told The Bee. “I remain committed to these efforts.”

Matsui will be 80 when her next term starts. She cares for Sacramento and we hope that she will continue to serve District 7 effectively, but also urge her to seriously consider who she will pass the baton to, come 2028.

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