House Republican Switches to Independent

Rep. Kevin Kiley drops party affiliation, shrinking GOP majority

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Rep. Kevin Kiley of California announced on Monday that he is dropping his Republican Party affiliation and will serve as an independent, effective immediately. Kiley, a two-term congressman, faces a tough reelection battle following the redrawing of the state's congressional boundaries. He said he will no longer run in the 3rd District he currently represents, but will instead run in the Democratic-leaning 6th District without listing a party affiliation.

Why it matters

Kiley's move to become an independent shrinks the Republican majority in the House, which now stands at 217-214 with one independent. The last independent to serve in the House was Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, who dropped his Republican affiliation in 2019. Kiley's decision is seen as a response to partisan gerrymandering, as he believes the best way to counter its impacts on democracy is to take partisanship out of the equation.

The details

Kiley told reporters that he is asking the House clerk to reflect his change to independent in the House's official roster, though he will still caucus with Republicans to maintain his committee assignments. He had been studying whether to run against fellow Republican Tom McClintock in a Republican stronghold or to take his chance in a Democratic-leaning district focused in the Sacramento area, and opted for the latter.

  • On Friday, Kiley said he wouldn't be running again in the 3rd District, which he currently represents, but would be running in the Democratic-leaning 6th District.
  • On Monday, Kiley announced that he is dropping his Republican Party affiliation and will serve as an independent, effective immediately.

The players

Rep. Kevin Kiley

A two-term congressman from California who is dropping his Republican Party affiliation and will serve as an independent.

Tom McClintock

A fellow Republican congressman that Kiley was considering running against in a Republican stronghold district.

Mike Johnson

The current House Speaker.

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What they’re saying

“Since gerrymandering seeks to elevate partisanship above everything else in our politics, the best way to counter gerrymandering and its insidious impacts on democracy is simply to take partisanship out of the equation.”

— Rep. Kevin Kiley (Axios)

“I don't know if he would tell you I have been so far," adding that he would consider every bill on its own merits.”

— Rep. Kevin Kiley (Politico)

What’s next

Kiley's change in party affiliation will take effect immediately, and he will now run in the Democratic-leaning 6th District without listing a party affiliation next to his name.

The takeaway

Kiley's decision to become an independent highlights the growing frustration with partisan gerrymandering and its impact on the political process. His move shrinks the Republican majority in the House and demonstrates a willingness to put principles over party affiliation in an effort to better serve his constituents.