Kevin Kiley

Rep. Kevin Kiley, I-Calif., told Newsmax on Tuesday that California's mid-decade congressional redistricting effectively eliminated his House district, prompting him to seek reelection as an independent despite his Republican affiliation.

Appearing on "Finnerty" as California voters headed to the polls Tuesday night, Kiley criticized the state's newly drawn congressional map as an extreme partisan exercise.

"They tried to completely overhaul our entire map in California and instituted what's one of the worst gerrymanders in U.S. history," Kiley said.

Kiley added that he does not believe California is alone in aggressively redrawing political boundaries.

"To be fair, this has happened in a lot of other states as well," he said.

The congressman said his decision to run as an independent reflects his opposition to what he described as an effort to place partisan considerations above all else.

"The way I see it, if you're going to try to elevate partisanship above everything else, then we can take partisanship out of the equation," Kiley said.

Host Rob Finnerty noted that Kiley, who served two terms in Congress as a Republican, was forced into the unusual position of running as an independent after redistricting reshaped California's congressional map.

Kiley also weighed in on one of California's most closely watched local contests, the Los Angeles mayoral race, where reality television personality Spencer Pratt has emerged as a surprise contender.

Although Kiley said it would be difficult for any candidate to win an outright majority in the primary because "there's three candidates who are running somewhat serious campaigns," he expressed confidence in Pratt's chances of advancing.

"I think he has a very good chance of advancing to the top two," Kiley said.

Los Angeles uses a nonpartisan election system. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers advance to a runoff election Nov. 3.

Kiley said Pratt's campaign has tapped into voter frustration over conditions in Los Angeles and across California.

"I think that his campaign and these really viral ads that he's created have given voice to the extreme frustration that so many people feel in Los Angeles and throughout California," Kiley said.

He cited concerns including "out-of-control crime, out-of-control homelessness," as well as high unemployment, poverty, and living costs.

"I think he has a good chance to make it to the top two, but we'll see what happens," Kiley said.

GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:

NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!

Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.

You need to watch NEWSMAX today.

Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!

Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system –Go Here Now

BEST OFFER:

Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.

Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.

Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!

Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.

Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!