Trump endorses Tom Kean Jr after he misses over 100 votes, disappears from Capitol for months

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has thrown his full support behind Rep Tom Kean Jr despite the New Jersey congressman being absent from Capitol Hill for nearly three months and missing more than 100 House votes during that time.

In a Truth Social post ahead of New Jersey's primary election, Trump praised Kean as a champion of the America First agenda and offered his "Complete and Total Endorsement" for reelection.

"Tom Kean has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election," Trump wrote. "GET OUT AND VOTE FOR TOM — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"

Kean's seat matters beyond New Jersey

Kean represents one of the most competitive Republican-held seats in the country. New Jersey's 7th Congressional District has long been viewed as a potential Democratic pickup opportunity, making it an important battleground in the fight for control of the House.

Any uncertainty surrounding the incumbent's health, availability, or campaign activity carries implications that extend far beyond state politics.

On April 22, Politico reported that after voting in the House on March 5, none of Kean’s colleagues had seen him at the Capitol.

Moreover, not even his fellow New Jersey Republicans knew where he was. Rep Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) said it had been “radio silence” on Kean’s end. Finally, on May 21, Kean publicly stated he was dealing with an unspecified illness.

“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” he said in a phone interview with The New Jersey Globe. “I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents.”

He is running unopposed ahead of Tuesday’s primary, but Trump wrote an endorsement post just the same.

The endorsement is notable because it comes as questions continue to swirl around Kean's prolonged absence from Congress, an issue that has attracted growing attention in Washington and New Jersey political circles.

The endorsement also sends a signal to Republican voters that the White House remains fully committed to Kean's candidacy despite lingering questions about his status.

Republican leaders have no whereabouts of Kean

According to reports, Kean has not been seen voting in the House since early March. Several Republican colleagues reportedly said they had little or no information about his whereabouts, while fellow New Jersey Republicans described communication from the congressman as minimal.

House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly acknowledged last month that he did not know the details of Kean's condition.

While Johnson said he expected Kean to return soon, he added, "I don't even know the details."

Kean has spoken privately to Johnson since his last vote on March 5. But if the speaker or others in leadership are aware of Kean’s medical condition, they have not disclosed it to their colleagues or their own staff, sources said.

Kean opens up about his health

Kean addressed the situation publicly in May, revealing that he was dealing with an unspecified illness. Neither Kean nor his office has provided a timeline for his return to Congress.

The New Jersey congressman said in late April on social media that he’s dealing with a “personal medical issue,” without specifying what it is, and said he would be back “very soon.”

For now, Trump's endorsement ensures the focus remains on an unusual political reality: a sitting congressman absent from Washington for months, missing more than 100 votes, yet still receiving the full backing of the president of the United States as voters head to the polls.