NJ GOP Rep. Kean missing from Congress since early March has 'health issues,' associates say

Kean's team says he's facing unspecified health issues, and he hasn't voted since March 5. He has also missed almost 50 roll call votes.

By Kevin Killough

Published: April 24, 2026 1:16pm

Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. is facing a competitive race for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, but even his GOP colleagues can't seem to reach him.

Kean's team says he's facing unspecified health issues, and he hasn't voted since March 5. He has also missed almost 50 roll call votes, Politico reported.

His Republican colleagues — nearly a dozen of them — told Politico they've called and texted him, but received no response.

Kean consultant Harrison Neely said that he will be back on a regular schedule soon, and Union County Republican Chair Carlos Santos said he's been in contact with Keen, who will make a full recovery in the next couple of weeks.

New Jersey's 7th District's election results have been narrowly divided between Democrats and Republicans. President Donald Trump won the district by one point in the 2024 presidential election, but Democrat Mikeie Sherrill won the district by nearly two points in the 2025 governor's race. Kean won the district by five points in 2024.