Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley files to run as independent
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Rep. Kevin Kiley speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 11. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) said Friday he is registering as "no party preference," rather than as a Republican, as he seeks reelection to Congress.
Why it matters: The move comes after Kiley's Republican-leaning district was broken apart in mid-decade redistricting, forcing him to run in far more Democratic-leaning territory.
- Kiley's announcement sparked considerable confusion among his colleagues, with several lawmakers asking GOP leadership for clarity on whether he will continue to contribute to their slim House majority.
- One House Republican, asked if Kiley is staying in the GOP conference, told Axios: "I hope to God he is."
- A Kiley spokesperson told Axios it is "not official yet" whether he will leave the party or the conference now, adding: "For now, he's just filing as an independent for his reelection campaign."
What they're saying: "Gerrymandering is a plague on democracy ... but there's a way we can fight back and protect our democracy," Kiley said in a video posted to X.
- "By removing partisanship from the equation," he continued. "Today, I've just filed for reelection as 'no party preference.' This means I will not have a party affiliation on the ballot or as an officeholder."
- Kiley noted that most local government positions in California are decided in nonpartisan elections — though state and federal candidates can identify with a party.
"It's no secret that I've been frustrated, at times disgusted, with the hyper-partisanship in Congress," he added.
- "In the last year it's led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, a massive increase in health care costs and, of course, a pointless redistricting war."
Zoom in: Kiley is facing a large field of rivals in both parties to represent California's 6th District, including Democrats Richard Pan and Thien Ho.
- Kiley is easily the most well-funded candidate in the race, with nearly $2.1 million in fundraising receipts as of the end of 2025 compared to Ho's $380,000 and Pan's $320,000.
Between the lines: Running as an independent is an increasingly popular tactic for candidates running in hostile territory.
- Democrats gave way to independents Evan McMullin in Utah's 2022 U.S. Senate election and Dan Osborn in Nebraska's 2024 U.S. Senate election.
- Osborn is again running as an independent for U.S. Senate this cycle, with independent Seth Bodnar vying to be the de facto Democratic nominee for Senate in Montana.
Axios' Kate Santaliz contributed reporting for this story.
