Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. has been absent from the House of Representatives since March 5, with Speaker Mike Johnson confirming on Friday that he is dealing with a personal health issue. Kean, who represents a competitive district in New Jersey, is a key target for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections.
Speaker Johnson Addresses Kean's Absence
In a statement, Johnson said he spoke with Kean, 57, on Thursday and that the congressman expects to return to full health soon. “Tom is one of the most dedicated and hardest-working members of Congress, and I am grateful for all he does and will continue to do to serve New Jerseyans and our country,” Johnson added.
Harrison Neely, a spokesperson for Kean’s campaign, reiterated that Kean is handling a personal health matter and will be back to a full schedule once fully healthy. Specific questions about the nature of his condition or when he stopped working were not answered.
Impact on Republican Majority
Kean’s absence adds to the difficulties faced by the historically narrow Republican majority in the House, which has seen several resignations and deaths recently. This month, Democrat Eric Swalwell of California resigned amid sexual assault allegations, and Republican Tony Gonzales of Texas stepped down after admitting to an affair with an aide who later died by suicide. Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida resigned ahead of a potential expulsion vote after being indicted for allegedly misusing $5 million in disaster relief funds.
Additionally, two seats are vacant following the deaths of California Republican Doug LaMalfa and Georgia Democrat David Scott. The current breakdown stands at 217 Republicans plus one independent who caucuses with them, against 212 Democrats. The five vacancies create attendance challenges for Johnson on party-line votes, especially amid negotiations over funding for the Department of Homeland Security and a contentious surveillance law.
Kean's Political Background
Kean hails from a prominent New Jersey political family; his father served as governor and his grandfather was a longtime congressman. He won his seat in 2022 by defeating Democrat Tom Malinowski, representing a district in the state’s northwest corner along the Pennsylvania border. He secured re-election in 2024 as Donald Trump carried the district by a narrow 50%. However, with Democrats gaining national popularity, Kean is considered the most vulnerable Republican congressman in New Jersey. Left-leaning groups have launched six-figure ad campaigns aimed at unseating him.
