Trump endorses absent Republican incumbent in New Jersey House primary | New Jersey
On the day Donald Trump endorsed him as a tireless defender of New Jersey’s seventh district, representative Tom Kean Jr. was nowhere to be found, as he had been since early March.
Kean, a Republican from New Jersey, was last seen voting in the House on March 5 and is running unopposed in Tuesday’s Republican primary. Meanwhile, the Democratic race in his district has attracted numerous candidates and plenty of donations.
In late April, his office said he was dealing with a “personal medical issue” and would return “very soon.” he said New Jersey Globe last month he expected to return in the “next few weeks.” Meanwhile, Kean’s social media accounts continued to post regularly and staff joined in ribbon cutting And graduation ceremonies in his name.
“Tom works tirelessly to keep our Border SECURE, Stop Immigrant Crime, Grow Our Economy, Reduce Taxes and Regulations, Support Small Businesses, Unleash American Energy Domination, Support Our Brave Military and Veterans, and Protect the Always Under Siege Second Amendment,” Trump said. wrote Late Monday night at Truth Social.
House speaker Mike Johnson, who reportedly met privately with Kean, was not given a callback date, according to three Republican leadership sources he told CNN.
Kean’s Republican colleagues say they are concerned about his health and about holding the seat, where four Democratic candidates raising more than $1 million each will be lining up to contest in November, according to CNN. Some have begun to ask what New Jersey law will require if Kean is unable to continue after winning tonight’s uncontested primary.
Multiple staff members in his office did not respond to a request for comment on whether Kean was aware he was endorsed by Trump and whether he was in good standing.
