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Kevin Kiley to run as independent, Darrell Issa to retire

Kiley announced an independent reelection bid in California’s newly drawn 6th District.

Kevin Kiley to run as independent, Darrell Issa to retire
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Outlet credibilityWashington Examiner70/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
tl;dr

Kevin Kiley announced he will seek reelection as an independent, while Darrell Issa said he will retire after his current term and endorsed Jim Desmond. Both decisions followed California’s redistricting changes, which put their seats at risk.

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18 VOTES
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Kevin Kiley I · CA-3
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Kevin Kiley
I · CA-3

California representative running for reelection as an independent

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Darrell Issa
R · CA-48

California representative retiring after his current term

Issa's version of this story ↗

Democratic candidate in the 6th Congressional District

Republican candidate for Congress endorsed by Issa

Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker of the House, whose handling of the government shutdown Kiley criticized

Thien Ho
D · CA

Democratic candidate in the 6th Congressional District and Sacramento County district attorney

California representative for the 5th Congressional District

ALSO MENTIONED  Gavin Newsom, California governor criticized by Kiley over the redistricting effort

Part of a bigger story

18 OUTLETS
Kevin Kiley Leaves GOP to Run for Reelection as an Independent

Outlets agree Rep. Kevin Kiley announced he is leaving the Republican Party and becoming an independent as he seeks reelection. They also report he plans to keep caucusing with Republicans for the rest of his current term. The sides share a focus on the House majority’s implications, but differ in added emphasis. Left-leaning outlets emphasize the majority impact and, in some accounts, critical reactions to Kiley. Center outlets pair House arithmetic with his stated reasons and redistricting context, while one takes a more skeptical view of his reelection prospects. Right-leaning outlets foreground partisan gridlock and redistricting alongside uncertainty for the GOP majority.

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