Trump Endorses Rep. Tom Kean Jr., Who Has Been Absent From Congress for 15 Months Due to Medical Issue

Donald Trump endorsed Representative Tom Kean Jr. on Truth Social late Monday night, 1 June 2026, calling him a tireless advocate for New Jersey’s seventh district. Kean has been absent from the House since early March 2025 and last cast a floor vote on 5 March 2025.

He is running unopposed in Tuesday’s Republican primary. Kean’s office stated in late April 2025 that he was dealing with a personal medical issue and would return very soon. Last month Kean told the New Jersey Globe he expected to return within the next couple of weeks.

His social media accounts have continued posting regularly, and staff have attended ribbon-cuttings and graduation ceremonies on his behalf. House Speaker Mike Johnson has spoken with Kean privately but has not received a return date, three Republican leadership sources told CNN. Republican colleagues are worried about Kean’s health and about holding the seat in the general election.

Some have begun asking what New Jersey law would require if Kean were unable to continue after winning the primary. Four Democratic candidates have each raised over $1 million for the November 2026 general election in New Jersey’s seventh district, CNN reported.

Multiple staffers in Kean’s office did not respond to a request for comment on whether Kean was aware of Trump’s endorsement and if he is doing well.

Kean appeared at a House foreign affairs subcommittee meeting on 5 December 2023 in Washington DC.