Kiley Files for Reelection as No Party Preference Candidate
The move follows mid-decade redistricting and aims to appeal beyond traditional party lines.
Kiley during a Education & Workforce Subcommittee hearing in 2025. Credit: C-SPAN.
ROCKLIN — California Rep. Kevin Kiley announced on March 7 that he filed papers to run for reelection in the newly drawn 6th Congressional District as a “No Party Preference” candidate. Kiley, who has represented California’s 3rd Congressional District since 2023, said the move removes partisanship from the equation in response to redistricting changes.
Kiley changed his voter registration to No Party Preference and asked the House clerk to list him as an independent for the remainder of his current term. He plans to continue caucusing with Republicans for administrative purposes, such as committee assignments. Kiley did not notify Republican leadership in Washington before making the decision.
The choice followed voter approval of Proposition 50 in November 2025. The measure allowed the Democratic-controlled Legislature to redraw congressional maps mid-decade, bypassing the state’s independent redistricting commission. Kiley’s original 3rd District, which stretched from suburban Sacramento to Lake Tahoe, was split into parts of six new districts. The portion containing his home in Rocklin and nearby areas became the 6th District.
Kiley first revealed his plans to run in the 6th District on March 2. He had previously considered the 5th District, now held by Rep. Tom McClintock, but selected the 6th because it includes his hometown of Rocklin. In a video announcement posted to social media, Kiley stated, “Gerrymandering is a plague on democracy, one that Gavin Newsom has brought back to California. But there’s a way we can fight back and protect our democracy from his partisan games: by removing partisanship from the equation.”
He added, “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. I answer to you, not party leaders. That’s the kind of representation I believe the newly-drawn Sixth District deserves.” Kiley cited frustration with hyper-partisanship in Congress, pointing to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and a pointless redistricting war as examples.
The 6th Congressional District covers Roseville, Rocklin, Orangevale, Citrus Heights, much of northern and eastern Sacramento, and West Sacramento. It lies entirely within Sacramento County and includes suburban areas that Kiley described as the core of his past representation.
The district leans Democratic. The Cook Partisan Voter Index rates it D+8, based on 2024 and 2020 presidential election results. Former Vice President Kamala Harris carried the area by about eight percentage points in 2024.
Several candidates have already filed for the June 2, 2026, top-two primary. Democrats include former state Sen. Dr. Richard Pan, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero. Republican Christine Bish has also announced a bid.
Nonpartisan race ratings describe the 6th District as favorable to Democrats. The Cook Political Report lists the seat as Solid Democratic. Inside Elections rates it Likely Democratic, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball calls it Safe Democratic. Analysts have described Kiley’s path as a long shot even after the party switch.