California congressional candidate sparks outrage | Political News

California congressional candidate Mai Vang gained’t be becoming a member of thousands and thousands of Americans commemorating Memorial Day weekend, honoring those who have died while serving in the navy.

The Sacramento metropolis council member has sparked fury after refusing to say the Pledge of Allegiance at public conferences and ceremonies, while routinely turning her back to the flag.

Vang, who is trying to take over from longtime Democratic Representative Doris Matsui in the June primaries, is at the moment polling at the same numbers with the incumbent while standing barely forward of Republican Zachariah Wooden.

However, her staunch anti-American stance isn’t sitting proper with every voter in the state’s seventh congressional district. Chair of the San Joaquin Republican Party, David Cushman said that Vang is trying to model herself on New York Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez.

He told the California Post: “Her strategy is badly misjudged and a really bad fit for the district. She’s trying to be the Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez of the Central Valley, but this is not the same district as AOC’s or even Nancy Pelosi’s [in San Francisco].”

Vang, who is the daughter of refugees, has been concerned in a quantity of incidents during which she refused to participate in the Pledge.

From a Veterans Day ceremony last 12 months to district conferences on January 22 and March 26 this 12 months, as nicely as a Sacramento City Council assembly on July 1, 2025, she’s made her emotions clear.

Steve Maviglio, a Democratic political guide in Sacramento, dubbed Vang’s actions “completely disrespectful to veterans and their families. It’s ‘Patriotism 101’, you say the Pledge of Allegiance even if you don’t agree with everything. You can’t say the Pledge of Allegiance – that’s how extreme you are? Come on,” Maviglio said.

Vang even wrote about her refusal to say the Pledge in a social media post last 12 months. She wrote: “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,” before including #FreePalestine and #KeepFamilies Together hashtags.

Vang continued: “We must not tune out – they want us to become numb to the realities we see in the news – it’s part of the plan to keep us complacent.

“But instead, we resist. We surround ourselves with loved ones, take time to rest, remain vigilant, and stay steadfast in the fight for equity, justice and humanity.”

Amy Gardner, a neighborhood organizer, called Vang’s refusal to say the Pledge “infuriating” before talking out against her method to public security.

Vang repeatedly opposed Sacramento metropolis budgets over disagreements about police spending, including voting against a number of budgets between 2021 and 2025, reviews the Sacramento Bee.

Gardner said: “I think she’s actively trying to take money away from the police department and law enforcement across the board.” Chairwoman of the California Republican Party Corrin Rankin said the controversy surrounding speaks to larger occasion issues within the Democrats.

“Too much contempt for law enforcement, too little respect for our country, and no understanding of what Californians value. Voters want leaders who respect the police and honor the flag. When a candidate cannot meet that basic test, it tells voters everything they need to know.”