Republican Congressman Turned Independent Now Says He's Open to Caucusing With Dems

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: MEDIAite

Mar 19th, 2026, 2:19 pm


Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA), who recently left the GOP to become an Independent, told Stephen A. Smith that he would be open to caucusing with Democrats if reelected to Congress.Kiley switched parties after changing districts due to California’s gerrymandering to make it more difficult for GOP members to keep their seats.

California gerrymandered its map, in a rare mid-decade move, following President Donald Trump’s urging Texas Republicans to eliminate the Democratic Party’s seats in that state, which they did. Kiley lost his committee assignments after switching parties, but is hoping to get them back.

Kiley was on SiriusXM’s Straight Shooter with Stephen A. on Thursday and was asked, “Will you still be caucusing with the Republicans?”.

“For the remainder of this term, yes, because that is the way the rules are set up right now is that essentially to be a fully functioning member of the House, you have to caucus with one of the two parties. And since that’s how I was elected at the beginning of this term, I think that makes sense,” Kiley replied.

Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/republican-congressman-turned-independent-now-says-hes-open-to-caucusing-with-dems/

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Bye Felicia.

[Zorro]

1. He's desperate

A leopard can't change its spots.

[oldsoldierfadingfast]

13. While that is true...

a 'person' can change his/her 'mind'. Although I do sometimes question the reason given for doing so.

I started out, in the 60s, as a Repub. Remember the issues during that time? Medicare, segregation, etc.?
Changed my mind after it seemed to me the parties had switched sides when, with the Koch bros. and his moneyed cronies leading the way, Rebublicans began taking over local governments using money, religion and good sounding lies to get their more unprincipled people elected. Then, they moved up the ladder to districts, state and now the country using the same tactics.

What is Kiley's reason for his change? What will he actually end up doing? We will have to wait to see. I hope he sees the truth and follows it.

[SWBTATTReg]

2. I just get tired of this ... why not all work together to make a joint, just law, and go at it?

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Beware spies in our midst. This clown has no bedrock principles

except to remain in power.

'But I LIKE my job!'

[rootin tootin]

4. Snakes

This guy gives snakes a bad name.

[Faux pas]

5. Yeah Sure Ya Betcha

Always believe a rethug after he switches parties because changing parties changes who they are, right?

[karynnj]

6. Might be more interesting if he would do it NOW.

Speaker Johnson would freak.

[chicoescuela]

10. If elected. His only hope is to switch now and it might be too late for that.

He sucks

[karynnj]

11. Any Democrat running for that seat, should speak about how flaky

that promise is. If it were based on values, he would change now when it would have an impact. Promising to do so if he wins in November, may mean he knows it would have little impact.

Currently, the Republican have 217 seats and the Democrats have 214. There are 3 vacancies. A shift now would make it 216 to 215. Better yet, the first vacant seat is NJ 11 which should be a Democratic hold. That makes it Democrats 216 to Republican 216. ( The other two are in a red CA seat and MTG's GA seat. ) Johnson might remain Speaker, but with NO real majority. A tie on a vote loses in the House.

[DinahMoeHum]

7. Bull. Shit.

As Rick Wilson has said - Kiley's a profile in cowardice

[thesquanderer]

9. How he votes is more important than who he caucuses with. We'll see how "independent" he is. (n/t)

[Miguelito Loveless]

12. Someone's angling

For a fast food bag of cash