{"id":2581816,"date":"2026-03-19T15:19:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kevin-kiley-open-to-caucusing-with-democrats-in-next-term\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T15:21:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:21:01","slug":"kevin-kiley-open-to-caucusing-with-democrats-in-next-term","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kevin-kiley-open-to-caucusing-with-democrats-in-next-term\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Kiley open to caucusing with Democrats in next term"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkevin-kiley-open-to-caucusing-with-democrats-in-next-term%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2581816&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Kevin Kiley of California, who recently left the GOP to run as an self-reliant, says he is open to caucusing with House Democrats next year if he wins reelection. For the remainder of this year,he will caucus with Republicans,adn he will appear on the november ballot as an independent. in an interview on siriusxm\u2019s Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith, Kiley said he will decide whom to caucus with and who to support for speaker based on what is best for his constituents, and he intends to assess the situation as the new term approaches.He emphasized he wants to stay with the House GOP caucus for the rest of his current term as that\u2019s how he was elected, though he did inform leadership after making his independent bid. He also noted a possible aim to rejoin some committees as an independent, a move that could further tighten the GOP\u2019s already slim majority.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Kevin Kiley open to caucusing with Democrats in next term after going independent<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2537303\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kevin-kiley\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"7945\">Kevin Kiley<\/a> (I-CA) said he is open to caucusing with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-democrats\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"441\">House Democrats<\/a> next year if he wins a third term in November.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, Kiley announced he had left the GOP and become an independent as he runs for reelection. The congressman will be listed as an independent on the ballot come November, but for the rest of the year, he will caucus with Republicans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4497166\/democrats-must-appear-moderate-primary-elections-joe-concha\/\">Democrats need to &#8216;try to appear moderate&#8217; to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >win primary elections<\/a>: Joe Concha<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4496689\/aipac-and-crypto-money-falls-short-in-illinois-primary-races\/\">AIPAC and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/aipac-and-crypto-money-strike-out-in-illinois-races\/\" title=\"AIPAC and crypto money strike out in Illinois races\">crypto money falls short<\/a> in Illinois primary races<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4496683\/graham-platner-attack-ad-sexist-comments\/\">Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner responds to attack ad over past sexist comments<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Speaking with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/stephen-a-smith\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"10345\">Stephen A. Smith<\/a> on his radio show, Kiley said he may consider changing his caucus affiliation next year and described the kind of lawmaker he wants to see as the next House speaker.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When it comes to the new term, who I&rsquo;m going to caucus with, what the speaker&rsquo;s &mdash; who I&rsquo;m going to vote for speaker &mdash; I think I&rsquo;ll look at it at the time and say, all right, what is going to be best for the folks that I represent,&rdquo; he said on SiriusXM&rsquo;s <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mzsr7U1cd4g\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mzsr7U1cd4g\">Straight Shooter with Stephen A.<\/a><\/em>  on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And you know, I think a lot&rsquo;s going to happen between now and the next election,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;I think that I&rsquo;ll have by that point almost a year of having been an independent in the House. And so I&rsquo;ll make that decision at the time.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Kiley noted he wanted to remain a part of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-gop\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"613\">House GOP<\/a> caucus for the remainder of his second term &ldquo;because that&rsquo;s how I was elected.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Kiley reportedly did not inform House GOP leaders of his independent reelection bid beforehand. Asked whether that was a &ldquo;calculated strategic move&rdquo; on his part, Kiley said he didn&rsquo;t think so.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know that it was calculated. It was simply, this was a matter between me and my constituents,&rdquo; the congressman told Smith. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4485405\/kevin-kiley-drop-gop-label-become-independent\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4485405\/kevin-kiley-drop-gop-label-become-independent\/\">KEVIN KILEY TO DROP GOP LABEL IMMEDIATELY AND BECOME INDEPENDENT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After switching parties, Kiley lost his spot on certain House committees. He is seeking to rejoin those panels through an expected official process, this time as an independent.<\/p>\n<p>His decision to change his affiliation to independent further narrows the House GOP&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-backs-off-15-minimum-wage-as-virus-relief-plan-takes-shape\/\" title=\"Biden Backs Off  Minimum Wage As Virus Relief Plan Takes Shape\">razor-thin majority<\/a> as Democrats seek to regain control of the lower chamber this election cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kiley may caucus with Dems next term after independence<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2581817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP22319816610708.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[5118,7029,3685,75413,76159],"class_list":["post-2581816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-bipartisanship","tag-caucusing","tag-democrats","tag-kevinkiley","tag-nextterm"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP22319816610708.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2581816"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581816\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2581820,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581816\/revisions\/2581820"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2581817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2581816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2581816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2581816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}