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New Jersey Republican expects to be ‘back in the near future’ after reports on absences

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by Max Rego - 04/27/26 7:57 PM ET

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by Max Rego - 04/27/26 7:57 PM ET

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Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) on Monday addressed reports of his absence from Congress, saying he is dealing with a “personal medical issue” and expects to return to Capitol Hill in the near future.

“I want to thank my constituents and colleagues for their patience as I address a personal medical issue,” Kean wrote 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.”

The New Jersey Republican has not voted since March 5, according to the House clerk. Last week, Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) told Politico that they had called and texted Kean but had yet to hear from their colleague.

NOTUS also reported on Friday that Kean bought and sold shares of eight different stocks between March 10 and 31, with a combined value of between $50,008 and $190,000. Dan Scharfenberger, Kean’s chief of staff, told the outlet that the lawmaker has a “blind structure with his personal investments.”

On Monday, Kean wrote that he has a “strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult.” He added that he is “especially proud of my Congressional team, who have constituent services and legislative work moving forward without interruption, and my political team for ensuring the campaign continues to run strong.”

Kean concluded, “I also want to thank my friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their patience and understanding during this time. I appreciate your support and look forward to being back in the near future.”

Kean, the son of former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean (R) and grandson of former Rep. Robert Kean (R-N.J.), was first elected to represent the Garden State’s 7th Congressional District in 2022 — defeating former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.).

He won reelection in 2024, defeating Democrat Sue Altman by more than 5 percentage points. This time around, four Democrats — Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah and Brian Varela — are running in the June 2 primary for the nod to take on Kean in November.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a “Toss Up,” making it one of 16 House races with such a designation. Of those seats, 13 are held by Republicans.

President Trump won Kean’s district, one of the wealthiest in the country as of 2019, by just 1.2 percentage points in 2024, according to The Downballot.

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