New Jersey Congressman Missing for Weeks

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (RN.J.) has been absent from Congress for several weeks, missing over 50 votes since early March, according to Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram.

After spending more than 100 days away from the Capitol, Kean is planning to return to Washington, D.C. in the coming weeks, specifically on June 30, as confirmed by a spokesperson. The 57-year-old Congressman has been sidelined due to personal health issues, though he has not publicly shared the specifics of his illness. He has stated that he intends to be open about his health situation upon his return.

This news comes as Kean has been noticeably absent from public view and hasn’t participated in voting since early March, accumulating 135 missed roll calls, based on GobTrack’s data. Despite his inability to attend sessions, his office has continued to introduce legislation and communicate via social media.

Looking ahead, Kean’s return will be brief, with only around 30 legislative days remaining before lawmakers head back to their districts for re-election campaigns in August and October. He is expected to face a challenging re-election bid against former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, who recently won the Democratic primary in a highly competitive Congressional district.

Bennett, who is likely to center his campaign on national security, has maintained a relatively respectful stance toward Kean during his absence but emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding Kean’s health. Though Kean enjoys the endorsement of former President Donald Trump and faced no opposition in the Republican primaries, his future in Congress appears uncertain due to ongoing health concerns. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report classifies the New Jersey race as a “swing” contest, highlighting the district’s competitive nature.