Arabic version: النائب المفقود يفوز بالترشيح الأولي بدعم من ترامب

Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr, who has not been seen in Washington or his New Jersey district for months, secured his party’s nomination for re-election on Tuesday, after receiving a recent endorsement from President Donald Trump. Trump wrote on social media, “Tom Kean has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election. HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” According to BBC News, Kean ran unopposed in the Republican primary and did not need to campaign for votes.

Despite his primary success, Kean’s absence has raised eyebrows, as he has missed more than 100 votes in Congress. His last public appearance was on March 5, and his staff indicated in April that he was dealing with a medical issue. Concerns about his whereabouts have persisted, with colleagues and media outlets expressing curiosity about his continued absence. Text messages to him went unanswered, and an aide remarked, “There’s no cameras where Tom is.”

In a statement released by his office on April 27, Kean expressed optimism about his recovery and his intention to return to Congress soon. He stated, “My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon.” He later participated in a telephone interview, reiterating his commitment to run for re-election and return to public life.

As the primary election took place, there had still been no reported sightings of Kean. He is set to face Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former US Navy helicopter pilot, in the upcoming midterm elections. The district he represents is considered a swing district, making it crucial for Republicans to retain it amidst a competitive political landscape.