Rep. Tom Kean Jr., a New Jersey Republican facing a tough reelection fight, has been absent from the House for weeks, and even some of his GOP colleagues say they have not been able to reach him.
Kean’s office has cited unspecified health issues, but the two-term congressman has not cast a vote since March 5 and has missed nearly 50 roll call votes, according to POLITICO.
The two other Republicans in New Jersey’s House delegation, Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, said they have called and texted Kean out of concern. Neither said they have heard back. Van Drew described it as “radio silence.”
Several New York Republicans who have worked with Kean said they have noticed the same pattern. POLITICO reported that Kean’s absence has largely flown under the radar and that GOP leaders have not addressed it broadly with the conference.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said he did not realize how long Kean had been gone until he looked for him on the House floor.
“I was looking for him,” Bacon told POLITICO in an interview Wednesday. “I didn’t know it was that long.”
A consultant for Kean said he is expected back soon.
“I know the congressman and his family appreciate all of the well wishes and support,” Kean consultant Harrison Neely told POLITICO. “Please know that he will be back on a regular full schedule very soon.”
Back home, Union County GOP Chair Carlos Santos said he has been in contact and expects Kean to recover.
Politico: The other two Republicans in the New Jersey delegation, Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, said they have called and texted Kean out of concern for his health.
But so far, neither said they have heard from him. Van Drew said it’s been “radio silence.”
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“I don’t even know the truth myself or even enough to disclose any information,” Santos told POLITICO. “But I have been texting with him and was told he’ll be fine and make a full recovery in the next couple weeks.”
Kean represents New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, a swing seat stretching across northern and central parts of the state and including Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. President Donald Trump carried the district by about a point in 2024, while Democratic former Rep. Mikie Sherrill won it by nearly two points in the 2025 governor’s race, POLITICO reported. Kean won the seat by roughly five points in 2024.
He is expected to face a competitive Democratic challenge, with four prominent candidates in the primary. POLITICO also reported that issues touching the district, including federal actions tied to immigration detention and a major commuter infrastructure project, have added pressure to Kean’s political footing.
Kean allies argue his absence will not matter by November.
“Everyone understands from their own family experiences that people run into unexpected health issues,” Bill Palatucci, a Republican National Committee member and attorney to the Kean campaign, told POLITICO. “Voters will be completely sympathetic and it’s so early in the year that it will be long forgotten come the fall.”
Democrats have noticed, too. Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J., said he has not heard anything directly.
“It’s been a long absence,” Menendez told POLITICO. “I hope he’s doing all right. But I haven’t heard anything.”
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