Representative Kevin Kiley isn’t just changing his party affiliation; he’s changing the math in Washington. During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Straight Shooter with Stephen A., the California lawmaker opened up about his high-profile split from the Republican Party and his refusal to rule out a future partnership with Democrats.
Speaking with host Stephen A. Smith on the Wednesday night program, Kiley addressed reports that Republican leadership felt blindsided by his departure.
He confirmed that he chose not to consult party bosses before making the leap, framing the move as a private obligation to the people who elected him rather than a backroom political maneuver.
“I don’t know that it was calculated,” Kiley told Smith regarding the timing of his announcement. “It was simply, this was a matter between me and my constituents. And so I did inform folks in D.C. after I made that decision. But I made an independent decision as to how I thought I could continue to best represent my district and folks in my area. But I did tell the Speaker and others about it afterwards.”
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While Kiley plans to continue caucusing with Republicans for the remainder of the current term—citing the House rules and his original election mandate—the real intrigue lies in what happens next. When pressed on his future plans for the upcoming term, Kiley notably declined to commit to the GOP.
“When it comes to the new term, who I’m going to caucus with, what the Speaker’s – who I’m going to vote for for Speaker? I think I’ll look at it at the time and say, all right, what is going to be best for the folks that I represent,” Kiley explained.
He noted that he wants to experience a full year as an Independent before deciding which side of the aisle he will call home.
Kiley’s interview suggests that his independence is more than just a title change. He described his new status as a “reflection of the philosophy” he has held throughout his career, often voting against leadership when he felt it conflicted with his district’s interests.
For a House of Representatives defined by razor-thin margins, the California representative’s willingness to “not prejudge” his future caucus alignment makes him one of the most significant free agents in the capital.
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