Congressman's Return
New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Sets June 30 Return After Monthslong Medical Absence
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New Jersey Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. will return to Congress on June 30, ending an absence that began in March due to an unspecified medical issue, according to ABC News. His political consultant, Harrison Neely, confirmed the date and said Kean will be "fully transparent regarding the nature of his health issue" upon his return.
Kean has missed 135 House votes since March 5, according to a memo from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee cited by Newsday. He has not been seen in Washington or his district during that time. His seat in New Jersey's 7th District is rated a toss-up heading into November.
A Three-Month Silence Finally Breaks
Kean cast his last vote on March 5. His office said nothing publicly for nearly two months. Then, on April 27, a social media post said he was dealing with a "personal medical issue" and that doctors expected a full recovery, ABC News reported. No diagnosis or details were given.
On June 2 — hours before primary polls closed — Kean released a statement thanking constituents for their "prayers and patience." He promised to return "within a matter of weeks." That same day, former President Donald Trump formally endorsed his reelection bid, according to WFMZ.
Stock Trades During Absence Raise Ethics Questions
While Kean was away from the House floor, financial disclosures show he certified at least 13 stock trades between March 10 and May 17. The trades drew scrutiny from national outlets. Democrats argued it showed Kean was well enough to manage personal finances but not to cast votes for his constituents.
The DCCC called Kean's absence a "pattern of failing to show up" and said his "lack of transparency will dog him on the campaign trail," spokesperson Eli Cousin said. Speaker Mike Johnson pushed back, telling reporters on June 3: "People are entitled to get sick. This happens. It's not a scandalous thing at all," according to KIRO 7.
Democratic Opponent Calls Kean a "Coward" Ahead of Rematch
Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive, won the Democratic primary on June 2. She has been direct in her attacks. "Voters are tired of absent leadership," she said, calling Kean a "coward" for his lack of transparency, according to News4Jax.
A recent poll by Z to A Research puts Bennett ahead 47% to 43% among likely voters. She also leads by 17 points among independents. Bennett outraised Kean $286,000 to $168,000 in the latest filing period before the primary. The NJ-07 seat is the only New Jersey Republican district on the DCCC's target list.
June 30 Return Sets a New Test for Transparency
Consultant Harrison Neely said via text on June 18: "Congressman Kean is eager to return to in-person work on June 30 and resume a full schedule." He added that voters should "expect to hear from him in person" that day. What Kean says — and how much he reveals — will be closely watched, according to KTAR.
Political analyst Micah Rasmussen said the "unexplained nature" of the absence created a vacuum that raised the political stakes of the race. There is no constitutional mechanism to remove an incapacitated House member short of a two-thirds expulsion vote. Kean raised $1.1 million in Q1 2026, a figure the NRCC called proof of his "momentum," according to Click On Detroit.
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