Blow to Trump: Congressman Leaves the Republican Party and Reveals His Plan

Congressman Kevin Kiley leaves Republican Party

Kiley declares himself independent

Republican majority shrinks

According to the EFE, California congressman Kevin Kiley announced Monday that he has officially changed his party affiliation in the United States House of Representatives, switching from Republican to independent.

The decision reduces the majority held by the Republican Party in Congress and complicates the political plans of President Donald Trump as he seeks to maintain control of the legislative branch in the upcoming midterm elections.

Kiley represents California’s 3rd Congressional District, an area that includes a large region near the Nevada border.

The lawmaker formally requested the change of affiliation in the official congressional registry, according to The Washington Post.

The announcement comes at a moment of political tension within the Republican Party.

Party switch affects Republican majority

Kevin Kiley announced he will seek reelection in California’s 6th District as an independent. He has officially changed his party to Independent in the House, though he will continue to caucus with the GOP.

A short thread on Kiley using DDHQ’s new Votes election data portal: pic.twitter.com/i3nqPPbw3A

— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) March 9, 2026

With Kiley leaving the Republican Party, the political balance in the House of Representatives shifts.

The chamber is now composed of 217 Republicans and 214 Democrats.

In addition, three seats remain vacant.

Kevin Kiley becomes the only officially registered independent lawmaker in the House of Representatives.

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The change narrows the margin available to House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The Republican majority in Congress was already slim before this move.

Kiley’s departure adds additional political pressure on Republican leadership.

Redistricting influenced the decision

Kevin Kiley leaves Republican Party – PHOTO: IG Kevin Kiley

Kevin Kiley’s decision also follows recent changes to California’s electoral map.

The new congressional district boundaries were approved by voters in the state last year.

This provisional redistricting is widely seen as benefiting the Democratic Party.

The measure was adopted partly in response to actions taken in Texas.

In that state, electoral map changes were approved that favor the Republican Party.

Those measures were promoted by allies of President Donald Trump in an effort to maintain the Republican majority in Congress.

Kiley was among the Republican lawmakers affected by California’s new district map.

Kevin Kiley plans to run as an independent candidate

The congressman also announced that he plans to run in the upcoming elections.

Kiley said he will compete for California’s 6th Congressional District.

His candidacy would appear on the ballot without party preference.

Despite leaving the Republican Party, the lawmaker stated that he will continue attending meetings with the Republican caucus in the House for the remainder of his current term.

However, he said he intends to act as an “independent voice.”

The announcement comes at a time when several Republican lawmakers have decided not to seek reelection.

More than a dozen members of the party have already said they will not run in the upcoming elections.

Among them is Representative Tony Gonzales.

Gonzales announced his decision after acknowledging that he had maintained a relationship with a young woman who worked on his staff.

The woman later died by suicide.

Kiley’s change in party affiliation adds another element of uncertainty to the political balance in the U.S. Congress.

The House of Representatives will continue operating with a narrow Republican majority as the midterm elections approach.