New Jersey lawmaker expected to return to Capitol Tuesday after long absence

House New Jersey lawmaker expected to return to Capitol Tuesday after long absence by TheHill.com - 06/30/26 8:42 AM ET Link copied by TheHill.com - 06/30/26 8:42 AM ET Link copied

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New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R) is expected to return to the Capitol on Tuesday after months of an unexplained absence.

Kean’s staffers say he is going to give a floor speech in which he will explain his absence for more than 100 missed votes. His team tied his absence to an undisclosed medical condition.

The circumstances have led to considerable speculation and mystery, especially as the New Jersey incumbent lawmaker campaigns for a third term.

President Trump endorsed Kean, describing him as someone reliable and an elected official who “will never let you down.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he spoke to Kean in early June and noted that he was informed of his medical condition. Johnson said it’s “not a scandalous thing at all.”

Amid the absence, Democrats are looking to flip his seat back blue after Kean’s win in 2022.

Kean led the GOP in the state Senate for nearly 15 years and is the son of former Republican Gov. Thomas Kean (N.J.).

Democrat Rebecca Bennett won a primary to face Kean in this fall’s elections.

Democrats need to pick up a handfull of seats to win back the House majority, which would put a significant check on President Trump over the final half of his term.

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