SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – California’s District 3 will see another representative in Washington next year after an announcement this week from Kevin Kiley. In a statement on X, Kiley said that since the Supreme Court did not block Prop. 50, he would seek reelection in District 5 or District 6, not his current District 3.
After voters overwhelmingly approved Prop. 50 in November, Kiley’s district was broken up, and most likely a republican would not be able to win due to the demographics of voters.
Kiley grew up in Rocklin and still lives there. California congressmen are not legally required to move if they reside outside a newly drawn district, as federal law only requires them to inhabit the state they represent, though state law suggests they live in the area they represent.
“The Supreme Court just declined to block Prop. 50,” said Kiley on X. “That means Newsom’s Gerrymander is locked in for 2026, breaking my district into six pieces. I’ve now narrowed these six reelection options down to two: District 5, most of which is within the boundaries of my current district; and District 6, which includes Roseville, Rocklin, and Orangevale, areas I’ve represented throughout my time in Congress and the Legislature.”
“My decision not to run in the new District 3 – having previously ruled out the new Districts 1, 4, and 7 – was an especially difficult one,” continued Kiley. “This new district includes many communities in Placer and Sacramento counties that I have represented for 9 years during my time in the Legislature and the House, some of the very best places in California. It also includes parts of Nevada County, El Dorado County, and the Tahoe Basin that it has truly been a privilege to represent in the House. I do take comfort that, having gotten the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act reauthorized for 10 years, our efforts to protect this national treasure will be felt beyond my time as its Representative.”
Kiley said choosing the new district he would represent would be challenging, and he has until March 4 to do so.
“I will be talking with constituents and folks throughout the state about the best path forward, and I would love to hear from you,” Kiley stated.
At this time, there are three democrats running for Congress to represent Lake Tahoe and the rest of District 3 – Dr. Amerish Babulal “Ami” Bera, Heidi Hall and Chris Bennett. Bera is from Sacramento and the current congressman for the previous District 6. He is a physician and has been representing California in the United States House of Representatives since 2013. Hall is from Grass Valley and is the Nevada County Board of Supervisors chair, and Chris Bennett is a disabled army veteran, former tech worker, and community activist.
Current District 5