Rep. Tom Kean Jr. to return soon, staff confirms

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. says he will return to in-person work in Washington, D.C., within weeks after a months-long absence. His staff points to a personal medical issue, while questions linger as the competitive NJ-7 race continues toward a November showdown.

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. hasn’t been in Washington, D.C., since early March. Now, his staff is pointing to a return date—one that could quickly reshape the rhythm of his campaign and his seat in a race already treated as among New Jersey’s most competitive.

Kean. a two-term Republican who represents New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. said he would be back for in-person work “within weeks” after more than 100 days away. In a statement delivered through his consultant Harrison Neely. Kean is “eager to return to in-person work on June 30 and resume a full schedule.”.

The timing matters because Kean’s absence has already stretched into weeks and then beyond—long enough for voters to notice, and for political opponents to build momentum. He has not voted in the House of Representatives since March 5.

Kean’s team has repeatedly framed the extended gap as the result of a personal medical issue. Neely said Kean is “handling a personal health matter” and is “expected to be totally fine.” Earlier in June. a statement said Kean would “transition from virtual work to in-person work within a matter of weeks.”.

But this wouldn’t be the first time his return was promised. On April 23, Neely said Kean would be “totally fine and returning to a full schedule soon,” again describing the absence as a health matter.

As Kean’s return is scheduled for late June, the stakes are unusually high. This year’s NJ-7 contest is considered the most competitive in the state. The district includes 93 towns across six counties: Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

Kean’s campaign has insisted he still plans to run. He also received an endorsement from President Donald Trump despite the months-long absence. In the general election, Kean will face Rebecca Bennett, who won the Democratic primary on June 2.

Questions about Kean’s whereabouts have lingered throughout the campaign. At a debate in May, Kean’s chief of staff Dan Scharfenberger told the New York Times that Kean would be back soon and argued that the absence wasn’t tied to a lack of intention—saying there’s “no cameras where Tom is.”

With Kean set to return to in-person work on June 30. the next test will be how quickly he can re-enter a role that has already gone quiet. For voters in NJ-7. the question is no longer only when he’ll return—it’s whether the weeks without voting and without public presence will become a lasting political issue as the race tightens.

Tom Kean Jr. NJ-7 New Jersey Congress Washington DC campaign Rebecca Bennett Donald Trump personal medical issue June 30 return House voting