Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) said Monday that he is officially leaving the Republican Party after launching an independent run for reelection last week.
“Today, I’m asking the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives to have that reflected in the official roster,” he said in a virtual press conference with reporters.
Although he will now be considered an independent, Kiley will still caucus with the GOP for the rest of the year.
The congressman represents California’s 3rd Congressional District, but he is running in the state’s 6th Congressional District this year. The redistricting ballot measure, spearheaded by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), proved to be a major factor in his decision to seek reelection in another district.
Both districts were redrawn as part of Proposition 50, which voters approved last fall to help benefit Democrats ahead of the midterm elections.
On Friday, Kiley announced he would run as an independent instead of remaining a Republican. While he directed his ire at Newsom for Proposition 50, the House Republican was similarly upset with the GOP for engaging in a tit-for-tat redistricting battle with the Democratic Party.
Kiley reportedly did not speak with House GOP leaders before launching his independent run late last week, according to Spectrum News.
He was previously considering a run in the safely Republican-held 5th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), but decided against it.
Republican strategist Dennis Lennox responded to Kiley’s Monday announcement.
“What you’re seeing is the incumbent protection program at work,” Lennox told the Washington Examiner. “Kiley is trying to create political space for himself in a difficult environment. The question is whether voters will buy it. Congressional Republicans — or members who caucus with them — from California are going to be an endangered species until the next redistricting cycle.”
CALIFORNIA SHAKE-UP: KEVIN KILEY TO RUN FOR REELECTION AS INDEPENDENT, DARRELL ISSA TO RETIRE
Also on Friday, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced his intention to retire from Congress instead of running again for his seat in California’s 48th Congressional District. Simultaneously, Issa endorsed San Diego County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Jim Desmond to succeed him.
Issa’s decision was also the result of Newsom’s redistricting measure.
Lauren Green contributed to this reporting.