WASHINGTON — The chair of the House Democrats’ political arm said it was “unacceptable” for Rep. Tom Kean Jr. to be absent from the Capitol without an explanation.
Kean has not been seen in Washington since early May, missing more than 100 roll call votes. He is expected back next week and has promised to explain his absence upon his return.
“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. Susan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, told Washington-based reporters for local news outlets, including the New Jersey Globe.
“The people in New Jersey haven’t had representation, and that is unacceptable,” said DelBene, D-Wash.
Kean, running for re-election in the 7th Congressional District, is one of 24 House Republicans on the DCCC’s target list as House Democrats seek to win the three seats they need to regain the majority. His race is rated a tossup by the Cook Political Report, while Inside Elections gives his Democratic challenger, former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, a slight edge in the general election.
“Rebecca Bennett has been an incredibly strong candidate on the ground, talking to folks all the time, obviously has a strong background in public service and her military experience to bring to the table,” DelBene said.
Maureen O’Toole, a spokeswoman for the House Republicans’ political arm, said Kean has a strong case for re-election.
“From his time in the State Legislature to now in Washington, Tom Kean Jr. has always worked with both sides of the aisle to lower costs, protect New Jerseyans’ critical benefits, and make communities safer,” O’Toole said. “Unlike his opponent, who wants to hike taxes, push woke gender policies, and admits she hates the majority of voters in this district, Kean Jr. delivers for the Garden State. Voters will send him back to Washington this fall.”