Absent congressmember Tom Kean Jr. starts working the phone

Kean, 57, has been out of public view since early March due to an undisclosed illness. He provided no details about the condition but said doctors are confident he is on a path to full recovery. He stated the illness will not affect cognitive health and that he intends to run for reelection. He plans to return to voting and campaigning within the next couple weeks, with a return to voting expected in June. National media attention followed his absence, including reporters staking out his home. Few people reported speaking with him, though House Speaker Mike Johnson said he spoke with Kean last month. Local Republican chairs reported brief conversations in which Kean sounded normal and confirmed he is running for reelection, without disclosing the ailment.

"My doctors are confident that I'm on the road to a full recovery," Kean told New Jersey Globe. "I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents." Kean added that he plans to return to voting and campaigning in the next couple weeks. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chair of the House GOP's campaign arm, told reporters Thursday he spoke to Kean and he will be back voting in June."

"Kean's lengthy absence has drawn national media attention, with reporters staking out his home in the wealthy 7th Congressional District, where he faces an extremely competitive reelection, with four Democrats competing in the June 2 primary to take him on in November. His campaign and office staff had repeatedly said that he expects to make a full recovery and would return to work "soon.""

"But few people - even Kean's two fellow New Jersey House Republicans - had recently reported speaking to him. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters that he spoke to Kean last month. Kean called Republican chairs in his district on Thursday. "He sounded good to me. Sounded just as normal as always," said Carlos Santos, the Republican chair of Union County, where Kean lives."

"Santos said that he did not ask Kean about his ailment, and that Kean did not disclose it. But he said Kean confirmed he's running for reelection and that he has his support. Tracy DiFrancesco, the GOP chair of Somerset County, also spoke with Kean. "It was just a simple conversation. He sounded just like Tom always sounds. He sounded perfectly fine. He's basically back. Hopefully we're going to see him very soon,""

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