GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley goes independent in longshot bid to stay in Congress

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Politico

03/06/2026 09:53 PM EST


SACRAMENTO, California — GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley filed for reelection as an independent Friday, after California’s Democratic gerrymander blew up his existing boundaries, leaving him to run as a longshot in a blue-leaning district.

“Gerrymandering is a plague on democracy, one that Gavin Newsom has brought back to California,” Kiley, a former state lawmaker, said in an X post late Friday. “But there’s a way we can fight back and protect our democracy from his partisan games: by removing partisanship from the equation.”

Kiley has tacked to the middle in recent months, since California Democrats targeted his district in a successful gerrymandering campaign championed by Newsom. He’s repeatedly criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson, broken with Republicans in key votes, blasted partisan redistricting efforts and co-authored bipartisan legislation to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.

In his social media post, Kiley called both parties “complicit” in an “epidemic of gerrymandering.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/06/gop-rep-kevin-kiley-files-for-reelection-as-independent-in-california-00817972

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Kiley called both parties “complicit” in an “epidemic of gerrymandering.”

YOUR party STARTED IT over a DECADE ago after Citizen's United in 2010 and OUR PARTY had been trying to draw "fair maps" since 2017 to counter the EGREGIOUS gerrymandering that the GOP promulgated for over a decade and a half.

But since YOUR PARTY started it and then decided to go FULL ON STEROIDS to make it worse, OUR PARTY will FINISH IT.

Gov. Newsom had to remind you about that last year.

Link to tweet

Governor Newsom Press Office
@GovPressOffice
·
Follow
Kevin, you’re confusing Gavin Newsom with Greg Abbott. But hey, we get it — facts were never really your thing.
Kevin Kiley
@KevinKileyCA
Gavin Newsom is shredding our Constitution and subverting the will of voters in the name of wiping out the California Republican Party.

Congress has the power to stop him by passing my bill to halt his corrupt redistricting scheme.
Embedded video
10:34 PM · Aug 9, 2025

[paleotn]

1. Sorry, Kevin. You haven't seen the light by breaking with Jebus Johnson lately.

You just want to keep your cushy job. Won't work. Might as well freshen up the ole resume. You'll need it come Jan 2027.

[CurtEastPoint]

2. for adults, they sure are a bunch of WHINY BABIES. Tough shit, kid.

[Zambero]

3. There's a little red duck...

Quacking in the water
A little red duck, posing like he oughta
He says "vote for me, I'm an indie now!"
He still caucuses with Ron
Golly gee, oh wow!
So send that little red duck packing in the autumn
Quack! Quack! Quack!

[wolfie001]

4. His bootlicking for tRUMP is gonna be a big problem

[Pototan]

5. Doesn't Kiley running as an Indie

split the Repuke vote and makes it easier for the Dem to win?

What a dope.

[mwooldri]

10. Maybe. We're talking California after all.

The primary is really a general IMO with the two top vote getters going to a run off in the "real" general.

Depends how many candidates there are I suppose. If the Republicans decide not to field a candidate? If the Democrats field more than one candidate hoping to get the top 2 spots resulting in a Democratic win no matter what? Who knows?

[SunSeeker]

6. You would not have lost your district if Trump hadn't gotten Texas to add 5 red seats, Kevin.

Yet you're still polishing Trump’s knob, and would continue to do so as an Independent. Fuck off, Kevin.

[ToxMarz]

7. He doesn't need Newsom's vote to get elected, he need the votes of the people who voted FOR redistricting

Newsom put it on the menu, the people of California chose it. They wanted you gone!

[karynnj]

8. Does he not realize that people see he is still caucusing with Republicans?

Not to mention, his name is never mentioned as someone Johnson can lose on a vote. Given the small number he can lose not being one of them makes him STILL A REPUBLICAN.

[Quanto Magnus]

9. I bet

he was all for gerrymandering when it favored Republicans.