Tom Kean Jr. set to face Rebecca Bennett in November
Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ) won re-nomination as the Republican nominee for New Jersey’s 7th District despite keeping the public largely in the dark about an unspecified medical issue that kept him out of view for months. He faced no GOP primary opponent and will now compete in November against Democrat Rebecca Bennett, whom the Associated Press projected to win her race with 47.7% of the vote (vs. 20.2% for Tina Shah).
Kean’s office has shared few details about his condition, but Kean said he is “more energized than ever” and expects to move from virtual work to in-person work within weeks, adding that he plans to be transparent about the nature of his medical condition when he returns. As March 5, he has missed more than 100 House votes, prompting concern among House Republicans about whether he can maintain the seat.
House GOP leaders have spoken with Kean but say they still do not know the exact medical details. Speaker Mike Johnson said leadership expects Kean back soon and expects him to be fully transparent. Kean and GOP officials maintain he will run for reelection, and Trump also endorsed him, praising his alignment with the “America First” agenda.
Criticism continues from Democrats, including Bennett, who argues Kean’s absence and voting record show he failed the district-citing issues tied to health insurance, ICE-related actions, and funding for the Gateway Tunnel. Democrats are also treating the seat as a major target this November, with Kean being the only New Jersey Republican on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “districts in Play” list.
Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ) won renomination as the Republican nominee for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District after Tuesday night’s primaries despite an unspecified medical issue that kept him out of the public eye for months.
Kean, 57, was unopposed in the GOP primary and is set to face off against the Democratic nominee, former Navy pilot Rebecca Bennett, in the general election. The Associated Press called the race for Bennett at 8:56 p.m. With 48% of ballots counted, 39-year-old Bennett held 47.7% of the vote, compared to second-place finisher, 42-year-old Tina Shah, who earned 20.2%.
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Few details have been shared by Kean’s office about his health, though the congressman said in a Tuesday afternoon statement that he is “more energized than ever” to fight for the district and would “transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks.”
“At that time, I will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition,” Kean wrote. “Once again, I appreciate all of the prayers and patience from my constituents and colleagues. I understand the need for transparency on this matter, and I look forward to sharing my experience with the public.”
Kean, who has represented the district since 2023, has missed over 100 votes in the House since March 5, when he last cast a vote.
The New Jersey Republican’s absence has sparked GOP worry over whether he will be able to maintain his seat in November. Kean is seeking his third term in Congress in one of the most competitive seats in the nation that will be crucial to the GOP’s effort to hold its House majority.
House GOP leadership has confirmed they have spoken directly to Kean. However, they say they don’t know the exact details about his medical issue. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters recently that leadership was “expecting him back here soon,” and that he expected Kean would be “fully transparent” regarding his health.
Kean and GOP leadership have maintained that he is able to run for reelection, with the congressman simply telling the New Jersey Globe, “I’m running.” Kean’s prolonged absence is likely to become a flash point in the general election.
There is an avenue for Kean to drop out post-primary, should he need to. Under New Jersey election law, any post-primary vacancy is filled by the local GOP committee leaders.
President Donald Trump endorsed Kean in a Monday night Truth Social post, saying that Kean is a “Tremendous Advocate of our America First Agenda.”
He continued, “Tom is working tirelessly to Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Champion Small Business, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Support our Brave Military and Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
While Kean himself has been absent since March, his social accounts have remained active, and the congressman has certified several stock trades made on his behalf. He has also signed off on “gift travel” expenses for his staff, according to NOTUS.
During a primary debate last month, Bennett, Kean’s Democratic challenger, said she hopes the congressman has a “speedy recovery” but argued his voting record showed he has “failed” the district.
“He was the deciding vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill, which is why 10s of 1000s of people in our district are losing access to their health insurance,” Bennett said. “He was nowhere to be found when ICE tried to put a detention facility into Roxbury, and he was nowhere to be found when Trump held up the funding for the Gateway Tunnel to make sure we get this critical infrastructure done, and so we are going to hold him accountable for his voting record in November and flip the seat.”
QUESTIONS MOUNT AS REP. THOMAS KEAN JR. REMAINS ABSENT AMID UNDISCLOSED ILLNESS
Democrats are targeting Kean’s seat as a prime pickup opportunity this November. Kean is the only New Jersey Republican placed on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Districts in Play” target list.
“Career politician Tom Kean Jr. has never been more vulnerable. He will be held accountable for betraying New Jersey families and for the damage he has inflicted when he’s actually been in Washington to vote,” DCCC spokesman Eli Cousin said in a previous statement.
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