Republican Kevin Kiley is projected to win a competitive and open seat in California

The Associated Press predicts that Republican candidate Kevin Kiley will win the open seat for California’s newly drawn 3rd House District, defeating his Democratic opponent, Kermit Jones, in a crucial victory for Republicans.

The GOP’s victory in this district gives Republicans 220 seats, a slim majority when the 118th US Congress convenes next January. Votes are still being counted in three House races.

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California lawmaker Kevin Kiley spoke with Fox News Digital at CPAC Dallas about his run for Congress.
(Joseph A. Wulfsohn/Fox News Digital)

The Golden State has the largest congressional delegation with 52 members, although that count has been reduced by 53 seats due to stagnant population growth reflected in recent redistricting.

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The newly redrawn 3rd Congressional District, the state’s largest, is a broad, Republican-leaning region that stretches along California’s eastern border from Greater Sacramento to Death Valley.

Kiley, a Republican state representative since 2016, has been a vocal critic of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his state leadership, helping lead the effort to recall Newsom last year.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been a frequent target of Republican state Rep. Kevin Kiley, who helped lead the effort to impeach the California governor last year.
(Ric Pedroncelli)

The Trump-endorsed candidate has touted his lifelong roots in the district and sought to frame his Democratic opponent, Kermit Jones, as a stooge and ally of the Democratic elite.

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Jones is a Navy veteran and medic who has never held political office. Given the Republican twist in the district, Jones tried to distance himself from the Democratic Party at times, refusing to support another term for Nancy Pelosi.