California Republican Congressman Quits The GOP Effective Immediately

A Republican congressman from California announced he is leaving the GOP effective immediately, saying he plans to continue serving in Congress without a party label as the political landscape in his state shifts.

Rep. Kevin Kiley, who represents California’s 3rd Congressional District, said he is dropping his Republican affiliation and will instead register as “no party preference.” The move means he will remain in Congress but operate as an independent going forward.

Kiley framed the decision as a response to the unique political dynamics in California, where he argued the partisan label has become less relevant than appealing to a broader coalition of voters. By shedding the GOP designation, he said he hopes to reach independents and moderates increasingly turned off by partisan politics.

The announcement comes as California politics remains shaped by intense battles over Proposition 50, a ballot initiative voters approved to create a new congressional map that could give as many as five seats to Democrats in November, forcing lawmakers to reconsider their political futures.

Kiley has been outspoken about the impact of redistricting in the state, warning that changes would dramatically reshape congressional races ahead of the next election cycle. Running without a party label, he suggested, could help him stay competitive after the new lines shifted the 2024 presidential results in the 3rd District from Donald Trump +3.8 to Kamala Harris +14.1.

Despite formally leaving the Republican Party, Kiley has not indicated that his policy positions or legislative priorities will change, and he is expected to continue voting largely in line with conservative positions on Capitol Hill.

His departure adds another twist to an already volatile political environment in Washington, where the House majority remains historically narrow, and individual lawmakers’ affiliations carry outsized influence.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

READ NEXT: Top Officials Reveal Chilling Sleeper Cell Threat