Rep. Tom Kean Jr. will return to work in 'a matter of weeks,' he says

Rep. Tom Kean Jr., the Westfield Republican who represents New Jersey's 7th Congressional District and has been absent from Congress since early March, said he will return to work in weeks.

"I will transition from virtual work to in-person work within a matter of weeks," Kean said in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 2, New Jersey's primary election day.

Kean will run for reelection this November and will face a Democratic challenger to be decided Tuesday. Running are Rebecca Bennett, Michael Roth, Tina Shah and Brian Varela.

What did Kean say?

Here is Kean's complete statement:

"Serving the people of this district is the honor of my life," Kean said. "Every day, I wake up determined to build on the results I have delivered for New Jersey families such as lowering costs, restoring the SALT deduction, funding our law enforcement, helping veterans, standing with Israel, strengthening our economy, and making government work better for the people it serves.

"This campaign will offer a clear choice," Kean said. "While Washington Democrats continue pushing an agenda that is too extreme, too expensive, and out of step with New Jersey, I will continue putting our constituents first and working with anyone to get things done. I am optimistic about the road ahead, and ready to earn the support of voters in every corner of this district. Together, we are going to win this race and continue delivering for New Jersey.

"I am more energized than ever to keep fighting for the people of New Jersey’s 7th District," he said. "Right now I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of health care professionals, I will 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. 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's statement follows New York Times report on his location

Kean's statement, which was given to NorthJersey.com by Harrison Neely, a Republican consultant who has worked with Kean's political campaigns, came hours after The New York Times reported that after an exhaustive search, its reporters had not found the missing congressman, after checking at his homes in Westfield and Bay Head and at Kean family property on Fishers Island, New York.

Neely has been issuing occasional statements about the congressman's health.

Kean was “handling a personal health matter” and “will be totally fine and returning to a full schedule soon,” Neely said in a statement to the USA TODAY Network New Jersey on April 23.

Kean gets Trump's endorsement as he begins contacting NJ GOP leaders

Tracey DiFrancesco, the Somerset County Republican chairwoman, who spoke to Kean in the last two weeks, told NorthJersey.com she talked to his team on Monday, June 1. She said he should be expected to return “in a month” and that he would provide “full disclosure” over why he vanished from public life for nearly three months. He cast his last vote on March 5.

DiFrancesco said she was relieved at the news.

“The sooner the better, and we can put all the rumors to bed," she said, a reference to speculation that Kean was planning to end his bid for reelection, setting off an intraparty scramble for a swift replacement. But she said Kean officials emphatically stated that he would stay in the race.

“I asked those questions and I got a very confident [reply] that he was not dropping out," she said.

Kean was endorsed for reelection by President Donald Trump, who posted about the congressman on Truth Social on Monday, June 1. Kean, the president said, has been "working tirelessly."

"HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" Trump wrote.

NJ-7 is 2026's most competitive congressional race

This year's 7th Congressional District race is considered the most competitive in New Jersey. The district is made up of 93 towns in six counties: Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.

Kean’s presence loomed large at a debate in May that featured the four Democrats vying in this June’s primary for the chance to challenge him in November.

The four Democrats offered the congressman well-wishes and acknowledged that medical issues can happen to anyone, but they said Kean should be transparent with voters about what he’s dealing with.

The New York Times reported that Kean’s team was at the debate and that his chief of staff, Dan Scharfenberger, reiterated that he would be back soon and that Kean has not been seen in New Jersey or in Washington because “there’s no cameras where Tom is.”

Trump carried the 7th Congressional District in 2024, but Mikie Sherrill won it in her 2025 race for governor.

Some Garden State residents may be concerned about the lack of transparency on Kean’s health issues, especially given the unexpected deaths of two congressmen in recent years after abrupt hospitalizations.

In April 2024, Rep. Donald Payne Jr. went into the hospital for treatment and died. There was little information about what caused the need for medical attention. Then, in August 2024, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. was taken to the hospital in Paterson and died after weeks of treatment.

Staff columnist Charles Stile contributed to this story.