Is Rep. Kevin Kiley testing the waters to run against a fellow Republican for Congress?

After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the voter-approved congressional maps, Kiley, R-Rocklin, said he will not run again in Congressional District 3, which he currently represents.

“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. This new district includes many communities in Placer and Sacramento counties that I have represented for nine 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 wrote on X on Feb. 5.

Kiley said he will consider CD 6 — currently represented by Rep. Ami Bera, D-Elk Grove — and CD 5, currently represented by Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove.

Congressional District 5 includes parts of Fresno, Madera and several other counties, including parts of the cities of Fresno, Madera and Clovis. The Proposition 50 maps left registration numbers virtually unchanged, with a 44% to 29% Republican advantage.

The new maps make CD 3 a less-appealing choice. The registration went from a 39% to 33% Republican over Democrat advantage to 39% to 32% Democrats — a 13-point turnaround.

The Democratic advantage decreased in CD 6, now 39% to 31%. Under the old lines, Democrats held a 42% to 28% advantage.

For several weeks, Kiley has run TV ads in the Fresno market targeting Gov. Gavin Newsom, not McClintock or any potential Democratic challenger.

Kiley has spent $32,445 on KSEE24, the local Winter Olympics affiliate; nearly $30,000 on ABC30; approximately $12,000 on KMPH Fox26; and $8,505 on CBS47.

Federal Election Commission records show Kiley is still filed to raise funds in CD 3 and McClintock in CD 5. The records list Kiley with $2 million cash on hand; McClintock has $97,000. Bera filed fundraising paperwork to run in CD 3 with nearly $2 million in the bank. The candidate filing period closes March 6.

McClintock recently touted the support of President Donald Trump and nine county Republican parties.

Friday, the state Republican Party endorsed McClintock.

Campa Drops Out of Fresno City Council Race

Mayra Campa is dropping out of the Fresno City Council District 1 race.

“After a lot of reflection and heartfelt discussions with my loved ones, I’ve decided to step away from the race. Campaigning to be your representative requires a level of time and presence that I cannot currently provide without compromising the needs of my family,” Campa posted on Facebook.

Campa is the district director for current District 1 Councilmember Annalisa Perea — who is running for the state Assembly.

Leading District 1 candidates include Central Unified trustee and Jakara Movement Executive Director Naindeep Singh; State Center trustee and federal prosecutor Rob Fuentes; and Democratic Party activist Monte Forkas.

FPPC Launches New Webpage

The state agency overseeing campaign finance recently launched a new website designed to make searching records easier.

The new Fair Political Practices Commission website features tabs at the top of the main page to access most information. Form 700 — the statement of economic interests all elected officials and candidates must file — can be searched under the “search filings” tab. Complaints can be found under the “enforcement/complaint and case information portal” tab.

“This website reflects our commitment to ethical government and meaningful transparency. By strengthening our digital tools, we are making campaign finance and ethics information more accessible, more usable and more actionable for the public,” FPPC Chair Adam Silver said in a news release.