Republican New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr. signed at least two documents approving his staff’s travel schedule during his mysterious absence from Congress.
Kean approved two travel dates for his chief of staff, Daniel J. Scharfenberger, on March 13 and March 14, despite not having voted in Congress since March 5. The congressman’s absence has raised questions even among his Republican colleagues, who have said they have barely kept in contact with Kean.
The first disclosure, which Kean signed on March 13, stated that Scharfenberger’s trip to an event in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted by the Republican Main Street Partnership “was in connection with the employee’s official duties and would not create the appearance that the employee is using public office for private gain.” The second document signed on March 14 involved Scharfenberger’s trip to Middleburg, Virginia, for a “spring issues conference” sponsored by Center Forward, a bipartisan policy organization. (RELATED: New Jersey Republican Disappears For Month — And No One Knows Where He Is)
Kean missed every roll call vote from March 17 to May 20, according to GovTrack. He also missed 20% of the votes between January and March. The congressman has been out due to an undisclosed illness.
Kean’s office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
During his disappearance from Congress, Tom Kean appears to have signed authorizations for his chief of staff to take two “gift travel” trips, per U.S. House documents reviewed by @NOTUSreports https://t.co/3rZgyenHmy
— Dave Levinthal (@davelevinthal) May 22, 2026
Despite his absence, Kean is running for reelection in New Jersey’s seventh district, which leans slightly Democratic in voter registration. Four Democrats are currently competing for Kean’s seat ahead of the June 2 primary.
Republican New Jersey Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew said they kept reaching out to Kean out of concern, though they were met with “radio silence.” National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson told Politico on May 14 that he had not recently spoken to Kean and had no idea where he was.
Kean’s consultant, Harrison Neely, also told Politico that “of course” Kean would run for reelection.
Kean began calling Republican county chairs in his district Thursday and spoke to a local outlet called New Jersey Globe, though he did not detail his undisclosed illness. He stated he is expected to make a full recovery and that he will discuss his health at a later date.
“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 also said he expects to return to Capitol Hill for roll call votes soon, according to New Jersey Globe.
Carlos Santos, the Republican chair of Union County, told Politico that Kean “sounded good” on the phone. Tracy DiFrancesco, the GOP chair of Somerset County, also said Kean is “perfectly fine” and should return to the campaign trail in the near future.
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