U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley of California has changed his party affiliation from Republican to independent amid redistricting changes. The move comes as his district faces alterations due to gerrymandering, potentially complicating his reelection. Kiley emphasized that his political positions remain unchanged and he aims to foster bipartisanship.
Rep. Kevin Kiley, representing a district in California's Sierra Nevada mountains and Sacramento suburbs, announced his switch from Republican to independent status. This decision follows California's redistricting process, which split his previous district into six pieces, creating a new, bluer district that could challenge his reelection prospects. Kiley described his old district as a toss-up, while noting the area's history of electing candidates from various partisan backgrounds.
In an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep, Kiley explained that the change reflects his longstanding approach to governance, focusing on problem-solving over partisanship. "People don't approach it from the perspective of, what party are you? They approach it from the perspective of, OK, how do we come together to solve problems?" he said. He cited examples of his bipartisan efforts, including attempts to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and to reclaim congressional authority on trade policy and tariffs.
Kiley plans to continue caucusing with Republicans for the remainder of his current term for administrative reasons, such as committee assignments. However, he advocated for reforms allowing independents to operate without affiliating with a party caucus. Looking ahead, if reelected as an independent, he declined to commit to caucusing with any specific party, stating he would decide based on what benefits his constituents.
On key votes like selecting the House speaker, Kiley said he would evaluate candidates on merits rather than party lines. "You should never rule anything out," he remarked, emphasizing a nonpartisan evaluation. He criticized Congress for ceding power to the executive branch, attributing this to excessive partisanship that transcends the current administration.
California's nonpartisan primary and runoff system, combined with a significant number of independent voters, provides the context for Kiley's strategy. He has previously received support from Democrats, Republicans, and independents in his district.
