Rep. Tom Kean hasn't voted in months, yet Trump is backing him
New Jersey Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. – who has been missing from Capitol Hill for months – has President Trump's renewed endorsement for reelection ahead of the Garden State's primary Tuesday.
Kean, 57, has not voted in the House since March 5 – missing a stretch of 104 consecutive roll call votes on the floor so far during his absence.
For weeks, Kean's office has defended the congressman's hiatus – telling reporters that he is addressing an unspecific medical issue.
“Congressman Kean fully understands the need for transparency on the nature of his health. He plans to fully disclose his story, but for now he is listening to his doctors and focused on his recovery,” a Kean spokesman told ABC Tuesday. “He is regularly in touch with his staff and is looking forward to getting back to work in person very soon. The Congressman believes it is important that his constituents and colleagues hear directly from him in person when he returns.”
President Donald Trump renewed his endorsement for Kean Monday night in a social media post, writing “GET OUT AND VOTE FOR TOM — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
He first endorsed Kean's reelection bid in May 2025.
Kean's district, New Jersey’s 7th, is rated as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report and is expected to be a top target for Democrats. Kean does not face any challengers in the June 2 Republican primary.
Last month, Kean told the New Jersey Globe in a phone interview that he plans to return to the Capitol within the next few weeks and is running for re-election.
“I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents,” Kean said May 21 – adding that his prognosis is positive, with no expected long-term effects or chronic health complications.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kean said he will "transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks."
"At that time I will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition," he added.
But even House Speaker Mike Johnson says that he’s been kept in the dark.
"I don't even know the details," Johnson said May 20. "I have to respect that it's a member's personal privacy on whatever matters they're dealing with, but we expect to have him back soon. We've missed him. He's a great member of Congress."
Johnson added he spoke with the congressman during his absence once by phone.
"He sounded good and optimistic, and we're expecting him back here soon. He's had a medical issue, and he's going to be fully transparent and disclose all that. I mean that is what he told me," Johnson said.
Despite the fog of uncertainty that surrounds Kean's situation, Johnson believes Kean will be re-elected this November “because he comes from a long history, a legacy in his family of faithful public service.”
Kean's father, Thomas Kean Sr., served as New Jersey's governor from 1982-1990.
“Things happen to people individually, in their health and otherwise, and they deal with challenges, and they get right back. That's what champions do. Tom Kean is one of them. Proud to stand with him, he's going to get re-elected, and we look forward to welcoming him back here very soon,” Johnson said.
Kean's defenders observe that New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill skipped 145 votes – most among House Democrats – during her successful gubernatorial campaign last year.
During Sherrill’s gubernatorial bid, her spokesperson, Sean Higgins, dismissed criticism of her missing votes — telling the New York Post last October:
“House Republicans have worked a total of 14 days since July 25th. It is laughable you would put this type of question to Mikie Sherrill or any House Democrat."
