It has been three months since Rep. Tom Kean Jr. last cast a vote in Congress—and still, no one knows where he is. In that time, his office has found creative ways to make it look like he never left.
Six speeches attributed to Kean have been quietly slipped into the Congressional Record since his disappearance from Capitol Hill—none of which he actually delivered himself. As NJ Spotlight News first reported, Kean was not present in the chamber for any of them. No words left his mouth. In at least one case, he wasn’t even at the Capitol.
The speeches aren’t the only illusion. A since-deactivated Instagram account, created in March, began reposting images from Kean’s official government account—including a photo that appeared to show him swearing in local politicians in Bedminster. The image was identical to a post from January.
His office also sent several emails to constituents that touted funding Kean had already announced months prior.
Social media posts from his official page allude to “Team Kean” at events and fundraisers despite him being absent. One post reads: “Join Team Kean at the Bridgewater Municipal Building today until 1 PM!” which, ironically, shows an empty table with his name on it.
Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Wednesday he spoke with Kean recently. “He’s in good spirits,” Johnson said. “It’s not a scandalous thing at all. People deal with health issues.” Johnson added that Kean is “anxious to come back in person.”
Kean, 57, won his Republican primary Tuesday while running unopposed—and while completely absent from the final months of the campaign. Donald Trump endorsed him in the one-person race. He will face Democrat Rebecca Bennett in November—his absence is already central to her campaign.
“Tom Kean Jr., we are coming for you,” Bennett told supporters at her Bridgewater campaign headquarters Tuesday. “Wherever you are, you have failed this district. Simply put, you are a coward.”
Cook Political Report and Inside Elections both rate the race a toss-up. We first reported on Kean’s absence in April.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.