On Monday, President Donald Trump gave his endorsement to New Jersey Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who, notably, has been absent, missing over 100 House votes since March. This endorsement comes amidst some controversy.
Kean represents New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, which The Cook Political Report recently stated could be crucial in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. He hasn’t cast a vote since March 5, making up about 20% of all missed votes from January through March.
Yet, Trump insists that Kean is “working tirelessly.” In a post on Truth Social, he praised Kean’s dedication, highlighting his commitment to the America First Agenda, including securing borders, combating immigrant crime, supporting small businesses, and advocating for the military and veterans.
The 7th Congressional District could be a key player in determining the balance of power in Washington. Although Kean is running unopposed in the upcoming primary, several Democrats are expected to compete for their party’s nomination.
His prolonged absence has been attributed to an undisclosed illness. However, in his first interview in months, Kean expressed confidence about returning to Congress for future votes, stating he expects a full recovery and promised to share more about his health later.
Interestingly, during his time away, records indicate that Kean was involved in stock trading and was managing travel schedules for his staff.
In the closely contested 2020 election, Kean narrowly defeated Democrat Tom Malinowski by around 5,000 votes. In 2022, the margin was even tighter, with Kean winning by less than 10,000 votes. Looking ahead, he hopes to secure a third term in 2024, after winning against Democrat Susan Altman by more than 23,000 votes.
Consultant Harrison Neely mentioned that Kean is dealing with a serious medical situation but reassured that he would return to his regular duties “soon” and be more open about what’s transpired.
“This was an emergency, so we can’t plan,” Neely noted, acknowledging that these situations never come at a good time.
Questions have been raised, and the Daily Caller reached out to the White House, inquiring if President Trump was aware of Kean’s current whereabouts.
