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Kean, 57, a second-term lawmaker and scion of a New Jersey
political family, represents a battleground district that
includes President Donald Trump's Bedminster golf club. He's
missed more than 100 votes in Congress this year and hasn't been
seen publicly in Washington or his district despite winning the
Republican nomination to serve another term.
Kean’s spokesman promised the congressman would return to work
Tuesday and be transparent about what has kept him away. Last
week, Kean answered the door of his home when a New York Times
reporter visited, but declined to be interviewed, saying only
that he would speak to them later.
The mystery over Kean's absence carries potential political
implications, given the competitive district he represents and
the Republican Party's narrow control of the House. His office
has said he is still running for reelection and is set to face
Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter
pilot, in New Jersey's most high-profile contest in November.
Democrats have targeted the district as a prime pick-up
opportunity, given that the seat has changed hands in the last
two midterm elections. Kean won in 2022 by defeating Democrat
Tom Malinowski, who had defeated Republican Leonard Lance in
2018.
Kean's last vote was months ago
Kean last voted in the House on March 5, but his absence wasn’t
explained.
In April, his social media account said he had been dealing with
a personal medical issue and his doctors expected him to
recover.
Kean’s absence has also complicated matters for House Republican
leaders, who are struggling every day to pass bills with their
razor-thin majority, 218-212. Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP
leaders repeatedly told reporters they were in touch with Kean,
but said he would have to address the circumstances himself.
Trump has endorsed Kean’s reelection, without mentioning his
absence.
Kean comes from a long line of public servants, stretching 250
years to the country’s founding when one of his ancestors became
New Jersey’s first leader since independence.
His great-grandfather was a senator, his grandfather was a
congressman and his father is the former two-term governor, Tom
Kean Sr.
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