Rep. Kevin Kiley of California announced Friday that he will seek reelection as an independent, a decision that comes after a redistricting change reshaped his congressional district and significantly improved Democratic prospects in the area.

Kiley, who was first elected to the U.S. House in 2022 as a Republican, said he has filed to run for another term under California’s “No Party Preference” designation. The change means his name will appear on the ballot without a formal party affiliation as he campaigns to retain his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a lengthy statement posted to social media, Kiley criticized the state’s redistricting process and argued that partisan map-drawing has contributed to growing political divisions.

“Gerrymandering is a plague on democracy, one that Gavin Newsom has brought back to California,” Kiley wrote, referring to the state’s Democratic governor. He added that removing party labels from his campaign could offer voters an alternative to what he described as partisan maneuvering.

“Today, I filed for reelection as ‘No Party Preference,’” Kiley said. “This means I will not have a party affiliation on the ballot or as an officeholder.”

Kiley framed the move as consistent with how he views his role in Congress, saying he aims to represent constituents rather than party leadership in Washington.

“As an elected representative, I've always seen my role as being an independent voice for our community, holding politicians in Sacramento and Washington accountable to serve my constituents,” he wrote. “I answer to you, not party leaders.”

The decision follows a round of congressional redistricting in California that forced Kiley to run in a newly drawn seat. He is now seeking election in California’s 6th Congressional District after previously representing the 3rd District.

Kiley has also voiced frustration with the broader political environment in Washington. In his social media post, he criticized what he described as intense partisan conflict in Congress, arguing that it has contributed to policy stalemates and rising political tensions nationwide.

“It is no secret I've been frustrated, at times disgusted, by the hyper-partisanship in Congress,” Kiley wrote. “If there is one thing Americans agree on, it is that political division has become a serious problem for our country.”

Despite the challenging political landscape in the newly drawn district, Kiley has built a significant financial advantage ahead of the race. Campaign filings show he has raised approximately $2.1 million for his reelection effort as of 2025, giving him a substantial early fundraising lead over potential challengers.

According to election analysts, the new district strongly favors Democrats. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan political handicapper that tracks congressional races nationwide, currently rates the seat as solid Democratic.