Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) has been the congressional representative for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District since January 2023. Between Washington, D.C., and New Jersey, Kean has seven offices, but over the last month, he appears not to have been to any of them. He’s also been missing in the House of Representatives, and his GOP colleagues reportedly have no idea where he is.
He has not voted on the House floor since March 5 and missed nearly 50 roll-call votes, according to Politico. Kean’s staff said the New Jersey congressman has been facing health issues, though they did not specify what they were.
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“Congressman is addressing a personal health matter. He will be returning to a full regular schedule,” said Dan Scharfenberger, Kean’s chief of staff.
“I know the congressman and his family appreciate all of the well wishes and support,” said Kean consultant Harrison Neely. “Please know that he will be back on a regular full schedule very soon.”
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) have tried contacting him but to no avail, and it has caused them both to worry. Some have speculated he has suffered some health issues, but there remains no confirmation if that is the case. His whereabouts remain unknown, according to Kean’s colleagues.
“We’ve both reached out,” said Smith. “Don’t know.”
Van Drew said he’s worried about Kean.
“Complete radio silence,” said Van Drew when asked about trying to contact Kean. “Nobody’s covering up. We just haven’t heard a word.”
“We talk about it,” Van Drew added, referring to conversations he has had with Smith about Kean. “We’re worried about him.”
While Smith and Van Drew have remained worried about him, other Republicans were not aware he was missing. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) told Politico he didn’t realize Kean was absent.“I was looking for him,” Bacon said on Wednesday.
“I didn’t know it was that long.”
Even Kean’s colleagues from across the political aisle have expressed concern over his health and whereabouts.
“I’m worried,” said Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ), who is on the Energy and Commerce Committee with Kean. “They’re keeping this really tight-lipped. Members have reached out and haven’t heard back.”
Kean, the son of former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, is up for reelection this year, if he is healthy enough to campaign and run. He is expected to face tough competition in the general election in November, with many sources claiming he is particularly vulnerable to being voted out of office. He won his has election in November 2024 by 5.4 points, defeating Democrat Sue Altman. He focused on economic issues and affordability concerns during his campaign in 2024, two topics expected to be at the center of the 2026 election as well.
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“We must address inflation, and we must make life more affordable for the families by cutting wasteful government spending and securing American energy independence,” Kean said at a campaign celebration the night of the election after learning of his victory in 2024. “This will help drive down prices, it will create jobs, and it will strengthen our nation’s resilience.”
Then-gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill won Kean’s district in 2025 by nearly two points, according to Politico. Predictions by the Cook Political Report assessed Kean’s district as likely to be a “toss up” for the 2026 election, despite Kean being a two-term congressional representative.
