Tom Kean to hold fundraiser same day he returns to Congress after three-month hiatus

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) is reportedly hosting a campaign fundraiser on Tuesday, the day of his return to Congress, after being absent for more than three months due to an unspecified health condition.

Kean will resume his official duties as a congressman on Tuesday and attend a reception in his honor later that day, Politico reported on Thursday.

The Washington Examiner contacted Kean’s office for confirmation on the fundraiser. Politico noted Kean’s spokespeople declined to comment, but they did not deny the event’s existence.

At least four more fundraisers for Kean are scheduled for this summer and fall, according to the report. This shows that the House Republican is likely aware of the vulnerability that his lengthy absence may have caused as he seeks reelection this year.

Kean ran unopposed in the New Jersey GOP primary on June 2, but he is considered a vulnerable Republican incumbent by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The congressional campaign fundraising arm for the Democratic Party finds his unexplained absence from the House troubling.

“He had a reputation as someone who wasn’t present in his district, and clearly, I wish him the best, but it is his job also to be transparent with his community, and there has been no clarity about why he has been gone so long,” Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), chairwoman of the DCCC, told reporters. “The people in New Jersey haven’t had representation, and that is unacceptable.”

Kean has missed over 100 roll call votes since early March. He has not been seen in public in the past three months, except recently. A New York Times reporter briefly spoke with the lawmaker at his home on Wednesday night.

“It’s good to see you,” Kean said, wearing a dark suit and a red tie. “I’ll talk to you next week. Thank you.” The reporter had the brief exchange after ringing his doorbell.

TOM KEAN JR. TO RETURN TO CONGRESS ON JUNE 30 AFTER MONTHSLONG ABSENCE DUE TO UNDISCLOSED HEALTH ISSUE

Kean is expected to recover fully from the undisclosed medical condition. He previously said he “will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition” after he returns to work. Speaking with reporters this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) declined to disclose what the condition was at Kean’s request.

The two-term congressman will run against former Navy pilot and Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett in the general election. Bennett has been endorsed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) to take on the incumbent in November. New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District is the only one in the state listed on the DCCC’s “2026 Districts in Play” list.