Key facts
- Rep. Tom Kean Jr. will return to work on June 30 after a 112-day absence.
- Kean's absence was attributed to a personal health matter.
- Democrats have criticized Kean for his prolonged absence and lack of transparency.
- Kean is scheduled to hold a fundraiser on the day of his return.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is set to return to Congress on June 30, following a 112-day absence attributed to a personal health matter. His prolonged absence, which began after his last vote on March 5, has drawn significant attention and criticism, particularly from Democrats in his district.
Kean's office initially stated on March 20 that he was addressing a personal health issue, a vague explanation that has persisted for months. The New York Times recently spoke with Kean at his home, but few additional details about his condition were revealed. His spokesperson, Harrison Neely, confirmed his return date and indicated more information would be provided then.
During Kean's absence, Democrats in his 7th Congressional District have held an expensive primary, resulting in former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett as their nominee. While Bennett has largely avoided direct attacks on Kean's health, an allied outside group has initiated an ad campaign criticizing his missed votes. Kean's fundraising has also suffered, with Bennett outraising him by over $100,000 in the April-May period, though much of that was used for her primary campaign.
The planned June 30 fundraiser offers Kean an opportunity to rebuild his campaign finances. However, Democratic critics, such as Eli Cousin of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, have used the event to attack Kean, accusing him of prioritizing fundraising and stock trading over transparency with his constituents while collecting a taxpayer salary.