Tom Keene Jr., the son of former New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean, won a Congressional seat in 2022 after spending 20 years as a Republican state senator. Now, he’s campaigning for re-election to the 7th Congressional District.
Recently, he was praised by President Donald Trump as a “phenomenal champion of the America First agenda.” He encouraged voters to support him in a social media post, although he hasn’t actually voted himself in Congress since March, missing over 100 roll call votes.
At 57, Keene’s absence from public life has raised quite a bit of chatter. In a statement last April, he thanked his constituents and colleagues for their understanding while he managed “personal medical issues.”
“My doctors assure me my recovery is complete and I’ll be back to the job I love soon,” Keene stated. “I really take my responsibilities seriously, and it’s tough to be absent so much when I usually attend and deliver.”
However, the specifics of his medical condition remain undisclosed, and his office hasn’t responded to inquiries for clarification.
“Nobody knows what’s going on,” remarked Mary Melfoy, the Hunterdon County Republican Party Clerk. She described the situation as unusually secretive.
“Everyone hopes he’ll sort things out and return,” Melfoy added, “But we can’t constantly discuss ‘who might replace him.’”
In the meantime, Keene’s prolonged absence has made Democrats optimistic about flipping his seat. Zoe Heath, chair of the Sussex County Democratic Party, mentioned that some within the party feel quite confident about their chances against him due to his situation.
Meanwhile, Keene has at least reached out to some Republican supporters recently, informing them that he is on the road to a full recovery. He reassured the New Jersey Globe that his medical issues won’t affect his cognitive abilities, claiming he doesn’t expect long-term consequences.
Lastly, he acknowledged the public’s desire for transparency and expressed gratitude for the support he’s received.
