Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) stated he is nearing a “full recovery” and expects to return to work soon following an undisclosed health issue that has kept him away from Congress since March.

“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” Kean told the New Jersey Globe. “I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents.”

Kean has not cast a vote in the House of Representatives since March 5. At 57, he confirmed his prognosis is positive with no expected long-term effects or chronic health complications, adding that his condition would not impact his cognitive function. He outlined a tentative timeline for his return: “I anticipate that in the next couple of weeks, I’ll return to voting and to the campaign trail.”

In the interim, Kean said he remains in daily contact with his congressional office and is monitoring issues affecting Congress and his district. This marks Kean’s first public statement since April 24, though staff have provided updates. He also noted it was his first time speaking with a reporter since March.

Kean’s father, former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean Sr., described the situation as “a real illness” that would not linger, emphasizing, “It’s not some kind of disease that’s going to incapacitate him in the future. The consensus is that he will be 100% OK.”

Kean has missed dozens of roll call votes during his absence, a concern among Republicans who hold only a slim majority in the House and cannot afford additional defections on party-line votes. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) recently said, “It’s a personal thing… I need him to get back as soon as he can.”

Kean’s seat, covering western and central New Jersey, is considered a “toss-up” heading into the November midterms after he flipped it in 2022. The district was previously held by former Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), whom Kean defeated by just three points. While Democratic challengers have repeatedly questioned his recent absence from the campaign trail, none stated during a recent debate that Kean was obligated to disclose health details. Some, however, suggested his situation highlighted broader communication gaps with constituents.