Rep. Tom Keene Jr. is back in northern New Jersey, gearing up to return to Congress next week after being absent for nearly four months without much explanation.
He met a New York Times reporter at his home in Westfield on Wednesday night but chose not to share details about his time away, simply saying, “It’s nice to meet you. We’ll talk next week. Thank you.”
Harrison Neely, one of Mr. Keene’s top aides, sent a message stating that the congressman “intends to be completely transparent” when he heads back to Washington on June 30.
Mr. Keene, 57, who is the son of a former New Jersey governor, last voted in the House on March 5, missing 139 roll calls since then. His team has described his absence as a “personal health issue” and emphasized that he has been “focused on his recovery.”
This month, House Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned to reporters, “I know what his health issues are, but he has asked me not to share that, and I will respect his wishes.”
Earlier comments from Prime Minister Boris Johnson on June 3 defended Keene, saying, “This is nothing scandalous at all.” He noted that health issues affect everyone, even members of Congress.
Some voters raised concerns about Keene’s lack of communication when he seemed to leave his hometown, which is about 20 miles from Manhattan.
Despite his absence, Keene successfully ran an unopposed primary and secured the Republican nomination for a third term in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. He will be up against Democrat Rebecca Bennett, in what many consider to be a competitive race.
Bennett expressed her well-wishes for Keene’s recovery but also criticized his record, saying, “I think he’s completely failed in this district.” She added that, if she were in Congress, she would be more forthcoming about what’s happening.
