Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) broke his silence Monday on his prolonged absence from the House, attributing it to a “personal medical issue” and promising to return to Capitol Hill shortly. The New Jersey Republican has not cast a vote since March 5, according to the House clerk, sparking questions among colleagues and constituents.
“I want to thank my constituents and colleagues for their patience as I address a personal medical issue,” Kean said in a statement. “My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon. I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent.”
Kean’s absence has drawn attention from fellow New Jersey Republicans. Last week, Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) told Politico they had called and texted Kean but had not received a response. The silence from a colleague in the same state delegation underscored the unusual nature of the situation.
Adding to the intrigue, NOTUS reported Friday that between March 10 and 31, Kean bought and sold shares of eight different stocks valued between $50,008 and $190,000. Dan Scharfenberger, Kean’s chief of staff, told the outlet the lawmaker maintains a “blind structure with his personal investments,” suggesting he may not have been directly involved in the trades.
In his statement, Kean emphasized his record of attendance and service. “I have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult,” he wrote. He praised his congressional team for keeping “constituent services and legislative work moving forward without interruption,” and his political team for ensuring “the campaign continues to run strong.”
Kean, the son of former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean and grandson of former Rep. Robert Kean, first won the 7th Congressional District seat in 2022 by ousting Democrat Tom Malinowski. He secured a second term in 2024, defeating Democrat Sue Altman by over 5 percentage points.
The race for Kean’s seat is already heating up. Four Democrats — Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah, and Brian Varela — are competing in the June 2 primary for the chance to challenge him in November. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the contest as a “Toss Up,” one of just 16 House races with that designation nationwide. Of those, 13 are held by Republicans.
President Trump carried Kean’s district — one of the wealthiest in the country as of 2019 — by only 1.2 percentage points in 2024, according to The Downballot. That narrow margin makes the seat a prime Democratic target, especially if Kean’s health or absence becomes a campaign issue. Kean’s office has not provided further details on his condition or a specific return date.
The situation also highlights broader concerns about congressional attendance and transparency. As Senate Republicans grow increasingly skeptical of Hegseth's Pentagon leadership, and with other lawmakers facing scrutiny over absences, Kean’s case adds to the conversation. For now, Kean says he looks forward to “being back in the near future,” but his colleagues and constituents are waiting for more concrete answers.
