Rep. Kevin Kiley Leaves Republican Party, Registers as Independent While Still Caucusing With House GOP
Rep. Kevin Kiley announced Monday that he is leaving the Republican Party, has registered as an Independent effective immediately, and has filed to run for reelection as an independent. He said he will still caucus with House Republicans for administrative purposes but declined to promise he’ll be a reliable vote for Speaker Mike Johnson, did not notify GOP leadership in advance, and framed the move as a response to gerrymandering and partisan polarization—tightening Johnson’s slim two‑vote majority.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- On Monday, March 9, 2026, Rep. Kevin Kiley announced he was leaving the Republican Party and registering as an Independent, effective immediately.
- Kiley said he will still caucus with House Republicans for "administrative purposes" but declined to promise he will be a reliable vote for Speaker Mike Johnson.
- Kiley framed the move as a response to gerrymandering and partisan polarization, saying taking party labels off is his way of countering gerrymandering’s effects.
- Axios reports Kiley did not give House GOP leadership advance notice before his announcement.
- Axios notes Kiley’s switch tightens Johnson’s nominal two-vote majority in the House.
đź“Š Relevant Data
After the 2025 redistricting, California's 6th Congressional District has a population composition of 50.79% White alone, 22.32% Hispanic or Latino, 11.73% Asian alone, and 6.69% Black or African American alone, based on 2020 Census data adjusted for the new boundaries.
Congressional District 06 (2025) — Senate Office of Demographics
The partisan lean of the reconfigured district where Rep. Kevin Kiley is running (new CA-6) is Harris +8.2, rated as Likely Democratic, compared to his previous district's lean of Trump +4.
The Gavinmander: How We Would Rate the New California Democratic Map if Voters Approve It — Sabato's Crystal Ball
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act eliminated national origin quotas, leading to increased immigration from Asia and Latin America, which contributed to California's foreign-born population rising to 28% by 2024 and demographic shifts in areas like Sacramento, with Hispanic population growth from 21.5% in 2010 to about 25% in 2020.
California's Population — Public Policy Institute of California
In California, net international migration increased to 718,000 between July 2022 and July 2025, contributing to population growth and demographic diversification in regions including the Sacramento metropolitan area, which saw a 1.7% population increase from 2020 to 2024.
California's Population — Public Policy Institute of California
đź“° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Kiley announced Monday that his decision to leave the Republican Party and register as an Independent takes effect immediately.
- He told Axios he will still caucus with Republicans for 'administrative purposes' but declined to promise he will be a reliable vote for Speaker Mike Johnson.
- Axios notes Kiley did not give House GOP leadership advance notice before his announcement, and that Johnson’s nominal two-vote majority just became even tighter.
- Kiley framed the move explicitly as a response to gerrymandering and partisan polarization, arguing that taking party labels off is his way of countering gerrymandering’s effects.