Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) has disappeared from Capitol Hill, and colleagues have not heard from the two-term congressman since he last voted on March 5, according to a report by Politico on Wednesday.
Unspecified Health Issues
Kean's team informed the outlet that he is dealing with unspecified health problems. However, even fellow Republicans in the New Jersey delegation have been unable to contact him, the report noted.
GOP Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith reached out to Kean to check on his welfare, only to be met with what Van Drew described as “radio silence.” Similarly, Republicans in the New York delegation faced the same situation, Politico reported.
Statements from Associates
Kean consultant Harrison Neely told the site that Kean “will be back on a regular full schedule very soon.” Union County GOP Chair Carlos Santos admitted, “I don’t even know the truth myself,” but indicated he was texting with Kean “and was told he’ll be fine.”
HuffPost reached out to Kean’s office for comment but has not yet received a response.
Potential Political Impact
The secrecy surrounding his absence could affect the political scion, whose father, Tom Kean, served as New Jersey governor from 1982 to 1990. If Kean’s health is precarious, it may impact his voting record. He is up for reelection and will face the winner of a June 2 Democratic primary in November.
Kean’s 7th district is leaning toward a “tossup” race, according to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, as Republicans fight to maintain control of the House.
Recent Resignations in Congress
The resignations of Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) in the last week leave the lower chamber with 218 Republican-aligned members to 213 Democrats, as reported by NPR.
HuffPost has again reached out to Kean’s office for comment.
