Summary
Current Position: US Representative of NJ District 7 since 2023
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: New Jersey Senate 21st District from 2003 to 2022, serving as minority leader from 2008 to 2022
District: includes all of Hunterdon and Warren Counties; and parts of Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union Counties
Upcoming Election: Running for reelection to House seat NJ o7.
Kean is the son of former New Jersey governor Thomas Kean. Kean was an aide to former Congressman Bob Franks and a special assistant at the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the George H. W. Bush administration. He has also been a volunteer firefighter and a volunteer emergency medical technician.
OnAir Post: Thomas Kean Jr. NJ-07
News
Questions about Biden make NJ Republicans hopeful for fall elections
Democrat Sue Altman was dragged out of a legislative committee hearing almost five years ago. Now that viral moment is at the center of a new Altman campaign ad as she tries to keep the pressure on Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr. in a tight race for the 7th Congressional District House seat.
“I think it speaks volumes that [Kean] doesn’t meet with reporters, doesn’t answer press questions … Doesn’t hold town halls. He won’t meet to debate me,” says Altman, the former state director of the Working Families Party. “It’s disrespectful to people in this district and people are sick and tired of it and I will continue to hammer him on his cowardice.”
It’s true that Tom Kean Jr. (R-7th), the incumbent serving his first term, generally avoids the state press, but in a district that turned a bit more Republican before the last election cycle, the strategy appears to have worked for him so far. Even his embrace of former president Donald Trump has become less of an issue since questions about President Joe Biden’s cognitive ability has changed the landscape dramatically.
The likely top issue for anyone tuning into the fall elections is the state of the top of the ticket, with some Republican polls suggesting that New Jersey may actually be in play come November. That’s got some Democrats, including Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th), calling for the president to step aside.
About
Source: Government site
Tom Kean, Jr. is serving his first term in Congress representing New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. In the 118th Congress, Tom serves on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee as Chair of the Europe Subcommittee, and the Science, Space, & Technology Committee. As the representative for more than 775,000 New Jersey residents, Tom is focused on keeping costs low for families, improving access to care, supporting a robust and reliable infrastructure, boosting innovation at home, and helping students reach their top potential.
From a young age, Tom understood and recognized the importance of civic engagement. He started volunteering and taught Sunday school at his church. Tom embarked on his career in public service when he received an appointment from President George H.W. Bush to work in the Environmental Protection Agency, where he met his wife, Rhonda. Following the Bush administration, Tom served as a legislative staffer in New Jersey Congressman Bob Franks’ Washington, D.C. office, where he advised the Congressman on commerce, energy resources, environmental issues, and foreign affairs. In addition to his professional duties in Washington, DC, he was the vice president of a fire department where he volunteered as a firefighter and an emergency medical technician.
In 2001, Tom was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, where he quickly developed a reputation as a leader in bipartisan consensus. Two years later, Tom was named to the New Jersey Senate where he served 14 years as Republican Leader. In that time he led the caucus to pass property tax relief, invest in quality education for students, and fight for policies that create new jobs and economic opportunity.
In addition to serving as Leader, during his legislative tenure, Tom also served on some of the most important Standing Legislative Committees including Budget & Appropriations, Commerce, Judiciary, Legislative Oversight, Higher Education and Health & Human Services. His committee work enabled him to see firsthand how innovation could pave the way toward meaningful and common sense solutions on policy issues ranging from the economy to education to the environment.
Tom’s work laid the groundwork for the creation of new industries, including a thriving Brewpub industry, and the transformation of existing ones by spearheading the State’s investment in technological advancement in order to spur economic development, job creation and government efficiency.
Tom’s academic training and work experience reflect his lifelong concern for responsive and appropriate actions and policies that advance the preservation of the environment without imposing undue burdens on taxpayers and businesses. As a legislator, he took a measured approach to supporting clean energy, recognizing that the State required a realistic, cost-effective way to create a renewable energy portfolio that embraced ALL available resources and emergent technologies, including nuclear, solar, and natural gas.
His responsive, student-focused approach to education initiatives such as expanding school choice, and as a strong defender of children and families earned him accolades as a healthcare “Champion for Children” and as a NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking’s Legislative Champion. He was previously named Legislator of the Year by the Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, received the Legislative Leader Award from the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, and received a 100% voting rating from the National Federation of Independent Business.
Tom served on the Senate Higher Education, Senate Commerce and Legislative Oversight committees. In addition to his standing committee work, the congressman also served as a senate liaison to several key state commissions including almost two decades on the State Council on the Arts. He was also the Senate appointee to the New Jersey Israel Commission and the New Jersey Amistad Commission.
Tom is a graduate of Dartmouth College and attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. There, he received a master’s degree in law and diplomacy, and was also employed as a graduate school instructor. Tom completed his doctoral studies ABD at Fletcher.
Tom and his wife, Rhonda and their two daughters reside in Westfield, New Jersey.
Personal
Full Name: Thomas ‘Tom’ H. Kean, Jr.
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Rhonda; 2 Children
Birth Date: 09/05/1968
Home City: Westfield, NJ
Source: BA, History, Dartmouth College MALD, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University Representative, United States House of Representatives, New Jersey, District 7, 2023-present Senator, New Jersey State Senate, District 21, 2003-2022 Minority Leader, New Jersey State Senate, 2008-2022 Candidate, United States Senate, 2012 Minority Whip, New Jersey State Senate, 2004-2007 Candidate, United States Senate, New Jersey, 2006 Assembly Member, New Jersey General Assembly, 2001-2003 Deputy Whip, New Jersey State Senate, 2003 ide, Congressman Bob Franks Former Employee, Environmental Protection Agency Graduate School Instructor, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tuft’s University Washington, D.C. Office Email: Government Source: none Source: Open Secrets House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee House Foreign Affairs Committee House Science, Space & Technology Committee SALT Caucus (Vice-Chair) Learn more about legislation sponsored and co-sponsored by Congressman Kean. In Congress I am focused on creating more jobs and promoting economic opportunities for everyone across the 7th Congressional District. This includes promoting pro-growth policies to support small businesses, removing regulatory barriers to job creation, and returning our critical supply chain to full, functional operations. The government’s role must be to remove barriers to success, not generate them. As I have throughout my work in public service on behalf of New Jersey families, I am focused on policies that create more jobs and put more money in the wallets of all New Jerseyans. Also, it is imperative that we get our nation’s fiscal house in order and work to address our debt and deficit – or else we will continue to push the problems of today onto our children. We can start by eliminating duplicative programs, living within our nation’s means, and cutting wasteful spending. A strong economy is good for all in New Jersey. I am focused on policies that spur innovation, economic growth, create pro-small business environment, and create good-paying jobs. It is those small businesses and innovators that are guiding our nation’s economy, not Washington, and I promise to do everything in my power to support our job creators. Our education systems serve our children best when the federal footprint is reduced, local control is restored, and parents and local education leaders are empowered. As a parent, I understand how important it is for New Jerseyans to know that local teachers have the tools they need to help our children reach their full potential. I was proud to support H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, which passed the House in March 2023 and is a win for every mother, father, and student in our country. It ensures parents have the right to know what’s being taught in schools and see reading materials; the right to be heard; the right to see school budgets and spending; the right to protect their child’s privacy, and the right to be notified about any violent activity at school. I also understand and value the commitment our teachers make to our communities every day. Their dedication to our students can’t be overlooked. The United States is home to the best educational opportunities in the world. Achieving and maintaining the highest academic standards is key to our national competitiveness and the success of every American. To better prepare our future workforce with the skills and knowledge to compete in a global economy, we must prioritize workforce development and continue to promote Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and math (STEM) programs. As I travel throughout the 7th Congressional District, businesses consistently tell me they are facing a severe talent shortage due to a lack of vocational education and technical training. It is our duty to prepare students for the demands of our current society and to provide unemployed Americans with an outlet to reintegrate into the changing workforce. The Seventh District of New Jersey is home to important natural resources that play key roles in our economy, recreation, and stewardship. From the Delaware River Basin to the Raritan Canal, the Seventh District is home to numerous natural wonders that provide opportunities to fishing and hiking. I am proud to have spent my public life fighting to protect our environment so that it can be enjoyed by our children and grandchildren. I am committed to supporting energy policies that increase American-made energy, reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, reduce costs for New jersey residents, and conserve our natural resources. The Seventh District is home to a vast supply of energy ranging from wind, solar, hydro, and conventional sources, giving New Jersey a competitive advantage and making it a leader in new energy technologies. America possesses a wealth of domestic energy sources, and yet hardworking Americans, New Jerseyans in particular, continue to struggle with unprecedented energy costs. High energy prices slow economic growth and increase inflation. That is why I support an “all-the-above” energy policy to boost domestic energy production so that Americans have affordable, reliable, diverse energy supply. I believe in a better health care future for all New Jerseyans. Our health care system must provide quality service and be affordable to every American and I remain determined to provide real solutions to the challenges facing families that include medical innovation, patient-centered care, increased access to care, enhance transparency, and affordable access. Families must have the ability to make medical decisions for themselves based on what best fits their needs, wants, and budget. Patients and providers should be in control of their own health care decisions. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of focusing on public health, and the need to fix our health care system. There are common sense initiatives in the health care space that both sides of the aisle can agree on, such as, providing insurance coverage to those with pre0existing conditions, allow younger people or dependents to stay on a parent or guardian’s plan, and eliminate lifetime caps for insurance coverage. We also need to expand telemedicine and ensure the reimbursement rate is the same as in-person services. It is also critical that our system is transparent with the health care and prescription drug market and must end surprise billing. Additionally, any reform must include plans for lowering drug prices and increasing access to effective and innovative medical treatments. We can do that by brining manufacturing to our shores instead of relying on China and India for pharmaceuticals. New Jersey is the “medicine cabinet” of the world, creating and innovating new and effective medical treatments and devices. I will remain focused on common-sense solutions that work to promote medical innovation that is patient-centered and provides quality and affordable services to all Americans. Our country owes a debt of gratitude to our nation’s bravest individuals – those who have served and dedicated their lives in defense of freedom and liberty. We must remember the sacrifices of our veterans who have bravely served our nation, as well as their families, and I am committed to providing the best care possible for them. As your Representative in Congress, I am proud to fight for our nation’s veterans because they deserve the highest quality medical care and an efficient delivery of benefits and services. I have been and will remain a steadfast supporter in cutting red tape and allowing our veterans better access to the health care and other services they need. We have a responsibility to protect those who protected us, and I will never stop making our nation’s heroes a priority. America is a land of immigrants. Many of us have family who generations ago came here seeking the opportunity for a better life. But our current immigration system is broken. We are a nation of laws and a top priority needs to be the safety and security of America’s citizens. Border security is national security, and our approach to combating illegal immigration must be comprehensive and include permanently securing our border, enforcing the rule of law, and ensuring law enforcement has the resources they need to carry out their duties. We also need commonsense approaches to protect children who have been brought to our country illegally through no fault of their own. To achieve these goals, we must develop and debate immigration policy within Congress to ensure we give these issues the compassion and thoughtfulness they deserve. I believe that our nation must maintain a strong and robust military, which is crucial for protecting the interests of our nation at home and abroad. I support providing our servicemembers with the key resources they need to be successful in their missions. In Congress I’m committed to leading the fight to provide the right capabilities to support our warfighters, deter our adversaries, and keep our troops safe. New Jersey is home to several military installations and plays an integral role in keeping Americans safe. Sites like Picatinny Arsenal directly serve our nation’s warfighters and those who support them. In Congress I will fight to support that legacy, and will always advocate for our men and women in uniform. One of my most important priorities in Congress is to restore the full State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction. As a proud Vice-Chair of the SALT Caucus, I have cosponsored the SALT Deductibility Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill to restore the full SALT Deduction. The SALT cap unfairly penalizes New Jerseyans, leaving a lasting effect on all who call our state home. Not being able to deduct state and local income taxes is double taxation. Restoring the SALT Deduction will get more dollars back in the pockets of hard working, middle-class New Jersey families. Our state pays more than our fair share to the federal government, especially when compared to other states. New Jersey residents need and deserve this critical relief. Source: Government page Source: Wikipedia The district, which has become more ethnically diverse over time, is one of the most affluent congressional districts in the United States, with the fifth-highest median income in the nation. Thomas Howard Kean Jr. (/ˈkeɪn/ KAYN;[1] born September 5, 1968) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from New Jersey’s 7th congressional district since 2023. He represented New Jersey’s 21st legislative district in the New Jersey Senate from 2003 to 2022, serving as minority leader from 2008 to 2022. From 2001 to 2003, Kean was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly. In 2003, he was elected a New Jersey state senator representing the same district, and in January 2008 he became minority leader of the New Jersey Senate, serving in the position until his term ended in January 2022.[2]After Governor Chris Christie was reelected in 2013, Christie tried and failed to remove him as minority leader.[3] He was frequently mentioned as a potential Republican candidate for governor in the 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial election, but did not seek the nomination.[4] Kean was the Republican nominee for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district in 2020, narrowly losing the general election to incumbent Democrat Tom Malinowski. He defeated Malinowski in a 2022 rematch. Kean would defeat former New Jersey Working Families Party director Sue Altman during his re-election bid in 2024. Kean was born in Livingston, New Jersey, on September 5, 1968.[5] His parents are Deborah (née Bye)[6] and Thomas Kean. His father served as governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990.[7] His grandfather Robert Kean was a former congressman from New Jersey. Through his father, he is also a descendant of William Livingston, the state’s first governor.[8] Kean grew up on the family’s estate in Livingston.[7] He has two siblings. He graduated from the Pingry School.[5] Kean is also a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity,[9] and holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from Fletcher School at Tufts University.[10] Kean was an aide to former Congressman Bob Franks and a special assistant at the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the George H. W. Bush administration.[5] Kean was appointed to the General Assembly, the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature, in April 2001, to serve out the unexpired term of Alan Augustine, who had resigned on March 21, 2001, for health reasons. He was elected to a full term in the Assembly in November 2001.[11] In the Assembly, he chaired the Republican Policy Committee and served as vice chair of the State Government Committee.[citation needed] In March 2003, Kean was appointed to the New Jersey Senate to serve out the unexpired term of Rich Bagger, and won election to that Senate seat in November 2003. In 2004, he was elected Senate Minority Whip, a position he held until 2007. He served in the Senate on the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.[10] Kean was one of six Republicans in the state senate to vote for a 2019 appropriations bill that passed 31 to 6.[12] Kean was the Republican nominee for the United States Senate seat vacated by former U.S. senator and former governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine, a seat now filled by Corzine’s designated replacement, Bob Menendez. Kean won the June 6, 2006, primary against John P. Ginty by a 3–1 margin.[13] He lost the general election to Menendez, 53.3% to 44.3%. The race was the narrowest victory for an incumbent Democrat in the U.S. in an election that saw Democrats retake control of the Senate as part of a nationwide backlash against the Bush administration.[14] He was endorsed by The Courier-Post, The Press of Atlantic City, and Asbury Park Press. Kean sought the Republican nomination for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district, but lost the primary to Mike Ferguson by about 4,000 votes, finishing second in a field of four candidates.[15] On April 16, 2019, Kean announced that he was running for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district in 2020, challenging first-term Democratic incumbent Tom Malinowski.[16] In the first quarter of 2019, Kean nearly matched Malinowski’s fundraising total of over $500,000.[17] In August 2019, Kean was endorsed by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.[18] Kean won the Republican primary over token opposition, and narrowly lost to Malinowski in the general election. It was the closest House race in New Jersey and one of the closest in the country; due to the close margin and slow counting of mail-in and provisional ballots, the outcome remained in doubt until nearly two weeks after the election.[19] Kean announced in February 2021 that he would not seek reelection to the State Senate and immediately became the subject of speculation that he was preparing to run for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district again.[20] Malinowski was under scrutiny after his failure to disclose more than 100 stock trades became a national news story and led to a complaint filed with the House Ethics Committee.[21][22] In redistricting, the 7th district was made more Republican while the neighboring 11th and 5th districts became more solidly Democratic. Kean formally announced his campaign on July 14, 2021, joined by U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.[23][24] He won the Republican primary in June 2022[25] and the general election with 51.4% (159,392 votes) to Malinowski’s 48.6% (150,701 votes).[26] Kean is running for reelection in 2024 against Democratic nominee Sue Altman, a former leader of the New Jersey’s Working Families Party.[27] Kean is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, and joined the Problem Solvers Caucus. Kean said he joined the caucus to assure constituents that he remains committed to “working across the aisle”. He is a moderate Republican, though detractors have said he could have done more to distance himself from the politics of President Trump.[28][29] Critics have called Kean out for holding “Telephone Town Halls”, especially Sue Altman, his opponent in the 2024 election. Others counter that Kean’s lesser media presence is a strength. Fred Snowflack of Insider New Jersey reported “Dating back to last fall’s campaign, most of those griping about Kean’s incommunicado ways were the media and voters who probably were not going to support him anyway.”[30] During his 2022 election campaign, Kean, who self-describes as pro-choice, promised voters that he would support abortion rights.[31][32] After the Dobbs decision, he said “this decision is now best to happen on the state level.”[33] During his tenure, he voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act which would have codified the abortion rights that the Supreme Court overturned.[31] He voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would penalize healthcare practitioners who fail to provide care for an infant that is born-alive from an abortion attempt.[31] Kean has expressed support for IVF and introduced legislation to provide income tax credits to people undergoing fertility treatments.[32] In 2024, Kean, one of 17 House Republicans representing a district that voted for Joe Biden, endorsed Donald Trump.[34][33] For the 118th Congress:[35] Kean is an Episcopalian.[37] On November 12, 1994, he married Rhonda Lee Norton; they have two children and live in Westfield, New Jersey, as of 2006.[38][39] Education
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New Jersey’s 7th congressional district includes all of Hunterdon and Warren Counties; and parts of Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Union Counties. The district is represented by Republican Thomas Kean Jr., who was first elected in 2022, defeating Democratic incumbent Tom Malinowski.Wikipedia
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Party Candidate Votes % Republican Tom Kean Jr. 159,392 51.4% Democratic Tom Malinowski (incumbent) 150,701 48.6% Republican gain from Democratic Party Candidate Votes % Democratic Tom Malinowski (incumbent) 219,688 50.6 Republican Tom Kean Jr. 214,359 49.4 Democratic hold New Jersey Senate
Party Candidate Votes % Republican Thomas Kean Jr. (Incumbent) 37,579 54.7 Democratic Jill Lazare 31,123 45.3 Republican hold Party Candidate Votes % Republican Thomas Kean Jr. (Incumbent) 42,423 69.6 Democratic Michael Komondy 18,517 30.4 Republican hold Party Candidate Votes % Republican Thomas Kean Jr. (Incumbent) 27,750 67.5 Democratic Paul Swanicke 13,351 32.5 Republican hold Party Candidate Votes % Republican Thomas Kean Jr. (Incumbent) 29,795 59.7 Democratic Gina Genovese 20,092 40.3 Republican hold Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Thomas Kean Jr. (Incumbent) 32,058 67.4 
8.8 Democratic Francis D. McIntyre 14,470 30.4 
11.0Green Teresa Migliore-DiMatteo 1,055 2.2 N/A Total votes 47,583 100.0 New Jersey Assembly
Party Candidate Votes % Republican Thomas Kean Jr. 44,223 31.8 Republican Eric Munoz 39,457 28.4 Democratic Tom Jardim 28,499 20.5 Democratic J. Brooke Hern 26,896 19.3 Total votes 139,075 100.0 United States Senate
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Democratic Bob Menendez (inc.) 1,200,843 53.3% +3.1% Republican Thomas Kean Jr. 997,775 44.3% −2.8% Libertarian Len Flynn 14,637 0.7% +0.4% Marijuana Edward Forchion 11,593 0.5% Independent J.M. Carter 7,918 0.4 +0.2 Independent N. Leonard Smith 6,243 0.3% Independent Daryl Brooks 5,138 0.2% Socialist Workers Angela Lariscy 3,433 0.2% +0.1% Socialist Gregory Pason 2,490 0.1% +0.0% Majority 203,068 9.0% Turnout 2,250,070 Democratic hold Swing 3.26% References
From the time James Kean arrived in South Carolina, the Keans took pains to retain the proper pronunciation of their name, which rhymes with rain rather than with green.
Dorian Drees, a daughter of Susan Drees Sugarman of Palm City, Fla., and the late John M. Drees, was married yesterday to Reed Stuyvesant Kean, a son of Thomas H. Kean, the former governor of New Jersey, and Deborah Bye Kean of Far Hills, N.J.
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