Representative Thomas Kean Jr., a Republican running for re-election in a competitive swing district in New Jersey, has not been seen publicly in nearly three months as he recovers from what his aides have described only as a “personal medical condition.”
Primary Day was no different. Mr. Kean, 57, voted by mail and had no scheduled public appearances. A knock at the door of his home in Westfield, N.J., went unanswered.
Then, three hours before polls closed, Mr. Kean’s office released a statement attributed to the congressman that suggested it might be several more weeks before he was healthy enough to return to public life or to the campaign trail.
“Right now I am focused on my recovery, and under the advice of health care professionals I will transition from virtual work to in-person work within a matter of weeks,” he said.
Once back, he vowed to be “completely transparent” about the nature of the unexplained health condition that has sidelined him and caused him to miss more than 100 floor votes since March 5.
“I understand the need for transparency on this matter, and I look forward to sharing my experience with the public,” said Mr. Kean, who is seeking a third term.
Democrats interviewed on Tuesday in New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District seemed eager to vote for a challenger to Mr. Kean. They were selecting from among four candidates vying for the chance to run against him in November.
Gregory Talmont, a Democrat, voted at an elementary school down the street from Mr. Kean’s house. He said he had tried to put aside his own progressive politics and instead selected a candidate that he believed would have the broadest appeal in the district, one of the wealthiest in the country.
His goal? “Control of Congress,” he said. “Pure and simple — we have to stop the bleeding.”
Tracey Tully is a reporter for The Times who covers New Jersey, where she has lived for more than 20 years.
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