Thomas Kean Jr.

Thomas Kean Jr. was born in Livingston, New Jersey, in 1968. He earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1990 and a master’s degree in law and diplomacy from Tufts University in 1997.[1][2] His career experience included working with the Environmental Protection Agency during the George H.W. Bush (R) administration, as an advisor to former U.S. Representative Bob Franks (R), as a firefighter, and as an emergency medical technician. Kean has served as the vice president of a fire department.[1][3] Kean previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2001 to 2003, and the New Jersey Senate from 2003 to 2022, including serving as minority leader from 2008 to 2022.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am serving in my second term in Congress representing New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. I currently serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee. As the representative for more than 775,000 New Jersey residents, I am focused on lowering costs for families, improving access to high-quality healthcare, supporting a robust and reliable infrastructure, boosting innovation at home, and helping students reach their top potential. In my two terms in Congress, my office has succeeded in returning $62 million back to New Jersey residents and has secured $38 million in investments for local projects in our communities.

I started my career in public service when I worked at the Environmental Protection Agency under the Bush administration. I then served as a legislative staffer in New Jersey Congressman Bob Franks’ Washington, D.C. office, where I advised the Congressman on commerce, energy resources, environmental issues, and foreign affairs. In addition to my professional duties in Washington, DC, I was the vice president of a fire department where I volunteered as a firefighter and an emergency medical technician. In 2001, I was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly, where I developed a reputation as a leader in bipartisan consensus. Two years later, I was named to the New Jersey Senate where I served 14 years as Republican Leader. I reside in Westfield with my wife Rhonda and our two daughters.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I have made affordability a top priority during my time in Congress and will always continue the fight to lower the cost of living for hard working New Jersey families. As a member of the bipartisan SALT Caucus, I led the fight to fully restore the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction for every middle class family, providing real tax relief for homeowners throughout the district who face the burden of living in a high-tax state. I will continue to support common sense legislation that reduces financial burdens on families and cuts the red tape for small businesses.I have a proven track record of delivering for New Jersey residents and have secured more than $38 million in federal funding for community projects across the 7th District. These investments have supported public safety departments and efforts through communication upgrades and local infrastructure improvements to roads, sidewalks, and bridges. Projects also included funding for lead service line replacement to improve drinking water quality and stormwater improvement. In addition to the $62 million returned back to residents through constituent services, my office and I will tirelessly fight and deliver for New Jersey.As an independent leader in Congress, my approach will always be guided by the interests of New Jersey families, even when it means standing up to leaders in either party. I have a record of supporting bipartisan legislation through my role as a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, voting on measures to protect federal employees and labor members, and leading the fight to fully restore the SALT deduction.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about policies intended to lower the cost of living and improve affordability in New Jersey, supporting U.S. national security interests such as standing with allies like Israel and Ukraine, and advocating for infrastructure investments that improve transportation and economic competitiveness like the Gateway Tunnel Project.

Campaign websiteKean's campaign website stated the following:I am an independent leader standing up for what is right for New Jersey – working to lower the cost of living, protect healthcare, strengthen our communities, and ensure America is strong at home and around the world. I bring both sides together to find common-sense solutions that help New Jersey families succeed and make our state an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.— Thomas Kean Jr.'s campaign website (August 11, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

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Campaign ads

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Thomas Kean Jr. did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Kean’s campaign website stated the following:

Let’s Fix Our Broken Healthcare System

Tom Kean understands the importance of quality healthcare. He has been a leader on this issue in the New Jersey Senate, serving on both the Health and the Commerce committees. While there, he worked with Republicans and Democrats alike to find solutions to lower the cost of prescription drugs, improve maternal healthcare and increase access to mental healthcare. As your Congressman, he will continue to be a leader in fixing our broken healthcare system.

Count on Tom to Fight for Affordability

Tom Kean has a long record of standing up to big tax hikes and fighting for affordability in New Jersey. He has blocked billions of dollars in new taxes and wasteful spending. He was a leading driver of the 2% cap on municipal spending that helped stabilize property taxes. As your Congressman, Tom will always prioritize fiscal responsibility.

Tom Kean is a Job Creator

Tom has been recognized as “Legislator of the Year” by numerous business groups for his work in helping make New Jersey a beacon for innovation jobs, technological ingenuity and development opportunities. In addition, his legislation on brew pubs transformed an industry and created thousands of new jobs. Tom knows this district, the industries that drive North Jersey and will always stand up for his constituents’ jobs in Congress.

Protecting the Environment is a Priority

Protecting the environment has always been a passion for Tom Kean. He began his career in public service working at the Environmental Protection Agency, where he met his wife Rhonda. He has built a reputation as an advocate for clean energy and open space in the New Jersey state legislature. He has sponsored funding for offshore wind energy development and passed laws that ensure open space and conservation are well-funded. As a prime sponsor of the Global Warming Response Act in 2007, he has long understood the urgent nature of climate change. As your Congressman, Tom will be an ardent defender of the environment.

A Commitment to Improving Infrastructure

We must elect a Representative with the ability to finish the job on the Gateway Tunnel project. On the state level, Tom Kean worked with Governors and legislators, alike, to reform the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and help lay the foundation for this project on a bi-state basis. He has both the knowledge and legislative skill to see it through as your Congress.

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—Thomas Kean Jr.’s campaign website (2020)[45]