Dems pick challenger for GOP congressman who vanished from public view amid health mystery

By Fox News · Fox News

Democrat Rebecca Bennett will face Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., an embattled lawmaker sidelined for months by an undisclosed health issue, in November’s general election. Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, won the Democratic nomination in a crowded primary for a battleground New Jersey House seat, according to The Associated Press. Kean, who has not appeared in public since early March, ran unopposed for the GOP nomination. Bennett’s primary victory sets up what could be the two-term incumbent’s toughest re-election fight yet. The suburban swing district is considered critical to House Republicans’ efforts to hold their slim majority. VIDEO SHOWS DEM CANDIDATE DODGING TRUMP VIOLENCE QUESTION AS CAMPAIGN ISSUES RESPONSE Gov. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., narrowly carried the northern New Jersey swing seat during her gubernatorial race in 2025. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rated the contest as a "toss-up." The brewing general election battle comes as Kean has faced mounting scrutiny for a prolonged absence from Congress that has left even House GOP leadership in the dark. "He’s had a medical issue, and he’s gonna be fully transparent and disclose all that," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters in May. "I mean, that’s what he told me. But I don’t even know the details, and I have to respect that." Kean released a written statement shortly before polls closed Tuesday saying he will be "completely transparent" about his medical issue when he resumes in-person work, which he said he expects to do "within a matter of weeks." "I understand the need for transparency on this matter, and I look forward to sharing my experience with the public," he continued, without further elaborating on his condition. DEMOCRAT TINA SHAH CALLS TRANSGENDER HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN A 'NO-BRAINER' IN COMPETITIVE NJ HOUSE RACE Kean previously said in mid-May that he would resume work "in the next couple of weeks," according to the New Jersey Globe. The New Jersey Republican ha…