Democratic Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson and Republican New Jersey Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. are seeking reelection despite being absent for weeks.
Wilson, 83, missed over 40 consecutive votes for about a month and missed all votes after April 17, while Kean last voted on March 5. Despite her prolonged absence, Wilson told her allies during a phone call Thursday that she plans to run for reelection, Axios reported.
During her absence, Wilson missed a major vote on extending Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) surveillance authorities. Despite being a member, she also has not appeared on any footage from hearings held by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure or the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Thursday that Wilson was “recovering from a procedure” and he expected she would “be back shortly.”
These people work for us!
How the hell can Frederica Wilson and Tom Kean Jr. just not show up to work for weeks and then file for reelection — no questions asked? https://t.co/E8ZrXWWh93
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) May 14, 2026
Should Wilson and Kean run for reelection after their absences?
In addition to not voting, Kean has not been seen on the campaign trail while running for reelection in a competitive midterm race. In April, Kean stated he was dealing with a “personal medical issue” and would return soon, though he gave no additional details.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said in April that Kean would be “back to 100 percent very soon,” The New York Times reported. Kean missed over 20% of the votes between January and March, according to GovTrack.
Four Democrats are competing for Kean’s seat in New Jersey’s seventh district, where a primary is scheduled for June 2. The toss-up district flipped for Republicans in 2022 due to redistricting, though it leans slightly Democratic in voter registration.
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 chair Richard Hudson told Politico Thursday that he had not spoken to Kean in awhile and had no idea where he was.
Kean’s consultant, Harrison Neely, also told Politico that “of course” Kean would run for reelection.
Wilson’s and Keans’ offices did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.
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