After 2 months away from Congress, Tom Kean Jr. finally speaks — and keeps his secret
As his two-and-a-half-month absence from Congress continues to sow mystery, U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. was working the phones Thursday — emphasizing that he would be back in a few weeks and that he was still up for re-election.
But the New Jersey Republican has yet to reveal the personal health issue that has kept him on the sidelines.
Kean Jr. gave a phone interview to the New Jersey Globe on Thursday — his first since he began missing congressional votes on March 5.
“My doctors are confident that I am on the path to a full recovery,” said the 57-year-old lawmaker, seen as one of the most vulnerable Republican members of Congress in this fall’s midterm elections.
“I understand the need for public transparency and appreciate the support of my constituents.”
Kean Jr. did not provide much more detail than his aides said about his status in his statements, although the Globe reported that he planned to do so.
The two-term lawmaker said he did not expect any long-term effects from the unspecified illness.
Kean Jr. also said, “I anticipate that in the coming weeks I will return to voting and campaigning. »
This confirms that he will still seek a third term in November, despite speculation that he will not.
A spokesperson for Kean Jr. confirmed to NJ.com that the congressman conducted the interview and said he would speak more about it in the future.
Kean Jr. also called county and national party leaders Thursday, according to sources and reports, giving them similar assurances, amid concerns about what his absence would mean for his already struggling re-election bid. His seat in North and Central Jersey’s 7th District is a Democratic target as the party aims to wrest control of the House of Representatives from Republicans in the midterms.
Somerset County Republican Party Chairwoman Tracy DiFrancesco told Politico that she had a “just conversation” with Kean Jr. and that he “always seemed like Tom.”
“He looked perfectly fine,” DiFrancesco said. “He’s almost back. Hopefully we’ll see him again very soon.”
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson told NOTUS that Kean Jr. also called him and told him he would return in June. Hudson said Kean Jr. “just called, I wanted to let you know I appreciate you giving me the space I needed to recover.” Hudson said he did not ask the lawmaker why he was absent.
Kean Jr.’s absence has sparked a flurry of headlines, confusion and concern among his Republican colleagues. His team has repeatedly stated that he is dealing with a health issue and will return soon, without revealing the cause of the problem.
Kean Jr. said the same thing in his own written statement last month.
His father, former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean Sr., told NJ.com last week that his son was recovering from a “serious” but temporary illness under a doctor’s care and would be “out” in 2-3 weeks, although the timeline for his full return is unclear.
Meanwhile, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said last week that he expected Kean Jr. to return to Congress “soon.”
“He had a medical issue and he’s going to be completely transparent and reveal all of that,” Johnson told reporters. “I mean, that’s what he told me. But I don’t even know the details, and I have to respect that.”
Reporters also visited Kean Jr.’s neighborhood in Westfield and his family’s home in Fishers Island to learn more, but they did not find him in either location.
Kean Jr. is running unopposed in the June 2 primary. Four Democrats are running for the nomination to face him in the fall in what is expected to be one of the nation’s tightest congressional races.
On Thursday, the nonpartisan election analysis newsletter Inside Elections shifted its perspective from “Republican lean to Republican lean.”
“While Democrats have a competitive primary to contend with, Republicans need their candidate present and on the trail to fill this swing seat,” the publication said.
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