WESTFIELD, N.J. — Constituents in a competitive New Jersey congressional district are demanding answers about their representative’s mysterious absence that has now lasted nearly three months.
Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. has been missing from Washington due to what his team calls a medical emergency, leaving voters frustrated and concerned about representation in a closely-watched swing district.
During a recent community meeting in Westfield focused on affordable housing and data centers, retired attorney Steve McCabe, 80, pressed state Senator Jon Bramnick for information about the congressman’s whereabouts.
“What’s the word?” McCabe asked the GOP state senator.
Bramnick couldn’t provide details about Kean’s medical situation but shared memories of their time serving together in the state legislature, when Kean would brave severe weather to avoid missing votes.
“I said, ‘Tom, we should really turn around,’” Bramnick remembered of one snowy night.
The congressman’s extended absence has created a political puzzle with national implications. His 7th Congressional District ranks among Democrats’ priority targets as they work to regain congressional control.
Kean hasn’t cast a vote since March 5 and has been absent from both Washington and his home district during this period. He has now missed more than 100 congressional votes.
Despite the prolonged absence, Kean’s office maintains he plans to seek reelection. He faces no Republican primary opposition in Tuesday’s contest, while multiple Democrats compete for their party’s nomination.
Campaign consultant Harrison Neely described the situation as a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
“This was an emergency, you don’t get to plan these,” Neely explained. “There’s no good timing for this.”
Neely promised that Kean would provide full transparency about his condition and resume normal duties “very soon.”
The prolonged absence has surprised even political allies familiar with Kean’s dedication to his duties.
“For him not to be there, that’s a big deal,” Bramnick observed.
Kean’s district encompasses suburban communities and smaller municipalities, including the location of President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course.
Though redistricting in 2021 made the area more Republican-friendly, the district has changed hands in consecutive midterm elections. Democrat Tom Malinowski defeated Republican Leonard Lance in 2018, before losing to Kean in 2022.
House Speaker Mike Johnson recently addressed the situation, expressing confidence in Kean’s return.
“We’re expecting him back here soon,” the Louisiana Republican stated. “He’s going to be fully transparent.”
Kean belongs to a prominent political dynasty. His father previously held the governor’s office, while an ancestor led New Jersey following American independence.
A local political publication reported receiving a phone call from Kean this month, though he didn’t detail his medical condition.
“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” he reportedly told the New Jersey Globe.
McCabe, who initially questioned Bramnick about Kean’s status, said news reports about the absence prompted his inquiry.
“I hope he’s not sick,” he commented.
Bruce Paterson, a 75-year-old retired engineer from Garwood, described himself as a “regular Democrat, not like the crazy Democrats they have today.” Despite his party affiliation, he plans supporting Kean in November’s general election.
“I hope he comes back,” Paterson said. “I mean, will I vote for him? Probably only because we need a nice balance” in a predominantly Democratic state.
During the town hall, one attendee asked Bramnick whether he would accept the Republican nomination if Kean withdrew after Tuesday’s primary. Such a scenario would trigger a convention among county party leaders to select a replacement candidate.
Bramnick repeatedly emphasized Kean’s reelection plans while questioning his own compatibility with today’s Republican Party. Unlike Kean, who prominently displays Trump’s endorsement on social media, Bramnick has criticized the former president, including during his unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.
“I’m not considered the biggest fan of Donald Trump,” Bramnick acknowledged. “I don’t think that the Republican Party is interested in sending someone to Washington that may vote yes or no depending on how I feel about the issue.”
Democratic primary candidates have criticized Kean’s failure to communicate with constituents about his situation.
“Tom Kean disappeared from the job,” said Michael Roth, a former Small Business Administration official seeking the Democratic nomination.
Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy pilot also running for the Democratic nomination, wished Kean well while criticizing his congressional record, particularly regarding infrastructure funding.
“He was nowhere to be found when funding got cut for the Gateway Tunnel, which is a critical infrastructure project in our district,” she stated.
Other Democratic candidates Tina Shah, an intensive care unit doctor, and Brian Varela, who founded a marketing agency, have also criticized Kean during campaign debates.
Political analyst Benjamin Dworkin, who directs the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship, believes Kean still has opportunities to reconnect with voters before November, given his current financial advantages over potential Democratic opponents.
“The issue is not going to be that he was out for a hundred plus votes in the spring,” Dworkin explained. “The question is really, how effective is he going to get once he returns?”
