Republican Candidate Becomes Political Pawn | Sacramento Kings News

Zachariah Wooden, a little-known Republican candidate, stunned the political scene by finishing second in California’s 7th congressional district primary—just behind the incumbent. Though he entered with no name recognition, he became a pawn in the Democratic battle between Mai Vang and Doris Matsui, both of whom used him strategically to highlight their own divides. Framed as a “MAGA Republican” by Matsui’s campaign, Wooden was then weaponized by Vang to criticize Matsui’s tactics. Despite not raising a dime himself and facing opposition from a progressive group, Wooden insists he was never a real threat—and now, with no Republican on the ballot, he’s refusing to vote, predicting a wave of voter apathy that could reshape the election’s outcome. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/8c0b8bf32cc8849a