May 26, 2026
The U.S. Congressman “Missing” For 3 Months
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RSS Feed New Jersey congressman, 57-year-old Tom Kean Jr. is up for reelection this year, but neither his constituents, nor his colleagues have laid eyes on him since early March. His staff and father, former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean Sr., have only referenced that the congressman is “addressing a personal health matter.” Just last week, a local New Jersey reporter said he spoke to the Congressman by phone, where Kean confirmed he is still running for re-election. Kean released a statement in mid April saying he expects to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent, but in the meantime his whereabouts and condition remain a mystery.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
00:00:02
Speaker 1: Hey there, folks. It is Tuesday, May twenty six, and the case, the mystery really of the missing member of Congress. Yes, a congressman from New Jersey has not shown up to work in nearly three months, and in fact no one has seen him at all, and barely are we starting to hear his voice. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and DJ Rose. As the longest you've gone without going to work and not telling anybody you were going to be there or why?
00:00:34
Speaker 2: That's called never?
00:00:35
Speaker 1: Okay? Unexplained absences are just something you can do right at work.
00:00:38
Speaker 3: No, I don't think most people would be able to keep their jobs if they had an unexplained absence, talked about an unidentifiable illness and then just said that's all. There are no details, there is no explanation. There is no information surrounding where Congressman Tom Kane has been, what he is suffering from, and why he can't be seen in public.
00:01:10
Speaker 1: So he hasn't been the work since March fifth. Yes, we are talking about a Republican Congressman from the seventh District in New Jersey. This is the northern part of the state. But his name is Tom Kane. He's actually part of a legacy family there in the state of New Jersey. His dad served in Congress, his dad was governor as well, his grandfather, the great grandfather. They were all actually members of Congress, so the name is very familiar there. But Rogues he voted March fifth in Congress. Congress then went on recess. He ain't been back.
00:01:43
Speaker 3: I believe the count was last Thursday. He missed his one hundredth vote. So if he is your representative in your district in New Jersey and he is running for reelection currently, how well does that sit with voters that he has missed one hundred votes in Congress with no actual specific explanation other than what is the term that they've given it, just a medical.
00:02:09
Speaker 1: Situationtional medical issue. It's been that vague, and I think no question voters would be willing to give sympathy. Of course, I mean they would even, Yeah, you need to miss a little time, that's okay, And I don't think voters would punish him for that. What made this situation so odd is there seems to be a a very noticeable lack of transparency here.
00:02:38
Speaker 2: And that's the issue.
00:02:39
Speaker 3: Look, I understand people obviously are entitled to their privacy, especially when it comes to health issues that I think anyone can understand, and especially if you've gone through a private health battle. It's something that people don't necessarily want to share and shouldn't have to share for whatever reason. But when you were an elected memory of Congress and your job is to serve and represent the people of your district, it would just seem as though you would expect someone in that high profile of a public position to at least offer an explanation as to why he can't be there. And we don't have to get details. But this is truly a mystery, and I think a lot of folks are pointing to the fact that it's remarkable, first of all, that no one has talked. There's been zero even there's not even been a whisper. But they're talking about obviously members of the press have tried to see this is a wealthy family that have multiple homes. They're saying in some places, a truck hasn't moved in months, he hasn't been seen, his face has not been seen in public. No one can actually point to a time or a moment where he has been seen in public.
00:03:53
Speaker 1: And up till very recently a lot of his colleagues said they couldn't even get a hold of him. They would send him messages just out of concern and radio silence. This is an odd situation, Robes, because of what you mentioned. Now, to go through the timeline and went back to March fifth, he didn't show up. After that, he did one vote, they went on recess. I think they were supposed to come back March sixteenth or something like that. He didn't show up. So then March twentieth, Robes is the first time they at least publicly acknowledged. As we go through the timeline here, March twentieth is the first indicator we got that something was up with its health.
00:04:28
Speaker 3: Yes, we got a very brief statement from his folks saying the Congressman is addressing a personal health matter. He will be returning to a full regular schedule soon.
00:04:40
Speaker 1: Now that's as vague as you can get personal health matter, and that how that they have kept it vague Robes throughout. So we almost go a full month without an update, a significant one. But Speaker Johnson did say he talked to Caine by phone and said he expects to be back to one hundred percent very soon. Again, that was April twenty third. Speaker Johnson at least got to hold them on the phone, and that was the expectation runs with April May. We're a month plus passed that, and he was expected to be back in one hundred percent very soon.
00:05:14
Speaker 2: Right very soon. April twenty third.
00:05:16
Speaker 3: So four days after Speaker Johnson spoke with Congressman Kin, the Congressman actually released a statement. Okay, so now we're going to get some details, right, Okay, three paragraphs. We'll read them for you and just see if you can discern anything out of this. I want to thank my constituents and colleagues for their patients as I address a personal medical issue. 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. I expect to return to a full schedule and be at one hundred percent. I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult. I am especially proud of my congressional team who have kept constituent services and legislative work moving forward without interruption, and my political team for ensuring the campaign continues to run strong. I also want to thank my friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their patients and understanding during this time. I appreciate your support and look forward to being back in the near future.
00:06:27
Speaker 1: Near future, very soon. Okay, full schedule, one hundred percent recovery will be complete. Back to the job ropes. Okay, I guess this will pass or he is least speaking as if he is going to make a full recovery from whatever it is. I guess he's certainly hopeful of that, but he's putting it out there sounding as if that's the case. What in the world is going on with him? Certainly want him to be okay, yes, But.
00:06:57
Speaker 3: Then it gets even stranger because after that statement on April twenty seventh, about two weeks later, we get the most bizarre comment from Cain's chief of staff.
00:07:10
Speaker 1: And this was an accident, This was a slip. I don't think they were trying to no, yes, announce this right.
00:07:15
Speaker 3: He wasn't trying to make a statement, but I believe they. I don't know what he was asked that that produced this response, But this response is a doozy. He said, there are no cameras where he is what and that is really bizarre.
00:07:33
Speaker 1: And look, he didn't elaborate, He wouldn't explain because they did follow.
00:07:37
Speaker 3: Up and for anyone, obviously, people are concerned about the congressman's health and certainly his constituents and people who are his coworkers there in Congress. Regardless of what your political affiliation, everyone of course is rooting for Congressman Kane and want him to come back healthy and happy and back one hundred percent as he claims he will be. But you start to scratch your head because look, as someone one who went through cancer, I made the choice to be public about it. But certainly that's not something where you can say I'll be back soon and one hundred percent. And frankly, people have treatment. How many members of Congress go through treatment, go through chemo, go through all sorts of medical treatment treating a disease while still showing up to Congress. It doesn't usually preclude you from not being able to travel or to vote, or at least to show your face or at least to make a statement. So the idea would be, then if you say there are no cameras where he is that maybe for some reason there's some physical aspect to what he's suffering from that he doesn't want to appear in public because there is something physical about his appearance that makes him want to hide.
00:08:47
Speaker 1: He is choosing to hide from public. I don't think there's any other way to put that. Why is he chosen to do so? I mean, I don't I mean so much of the question than the debate here. Hey, if he's going through something, let him go through it on his own in privacy, and who knows how devastating it is for him, for his family potentially, and what this all? Yes, but Robes there is something to public service, and there is something to answering to your boss. And even if you don't have to give your boss with your constituents all of the information, it's tough to argue that he didn't know them a little more than he's given him.
00:09:30
Speaker 3: It doesn't make a lot of sense, especially for a congressman who is in a re election.
00:09:35
Speaker 2: Yeer, look, his primary is coming up.
00:09:38
Speaker 3: He's running unopposed on the primary, so he's going on the ballot as the Republican.
00:09:42
Speaker 2: There's no question about that.
00:09:43
Speaker 3: So he doesn't have the immediate need to be out there knocking on doors for June second, because he is running unopposed in the primary. However, he is still in an election year. And it just this is not any behavior you would expect from a congressman or any elected official who is trying to win.
00:10:04
Speaker 2: People's trust or at least keep their trust.
00:10:07
Speaker 3: It doesn't make any sense you would just go away and not offer any real explanation as to why you are actually in hiding anyone. If you if you talked about whatever you're suffering from, that actually would Garner.
00:10:20
Speaker 2: I'm imagining a lot of support, a lot of well wishes.
00:10:24
Speaker 1: Hold how I mean, it's a health I mean, it's it's different for people. Ro it's how personal that is.
00:10:29
Speaker 2: That's true.
00:10:29
Speaker 1: How it just it just is and we want to give that I mean, ex then that respect, okay, But to disappear his district is not being representative. They do not have a voice in Congress. They do, I mean, if they're not going to have one, they owe an explanation for why they don't have one currently. That's okay. Put someone out in front of a camera to say something, and if you don't want to do it, or if he can't do it, have his wife or the next person or the next person. Somebody hopes to make that district feel better. And yes, there's politics at play here, Rod, It's a district that goes back and forth and who they vote for.
00:11:08
Speaker 3: New Jersey isn't known for its Republicans very often. I mean they are there. Obviously, we had some very prominent ones emerged as governor and as representatives of the state. But it isn't a necessary Let's just say it's it's not a red state.
00:11:23
Speaker 1: And that district voted the last couple of elections went for Trump and then went for the Democrat who was running in the election. So that state, that very district has shown that it will do democratic and Republican. And given the numbers that Mike Johnson, that poor fellow up in Congress, I just I swear if I ever meet him, I'm just gonna hug him. See God bless your brother. But just he's always people's health issues have an impact on numbers and the president's agenda and the mid terms. This is bananas, but stay here, We're going to add something more to it. His dad, Yes, Tomin Junior's dad Tom Kane Senior. Again, he is the one who spent time as the governor there of New Jersey. He added to some of this mystery, or did he robes? He might have given us more information than anyone has so far.
00:12:14
Speaker 3: Stare Welcome back everyone to this episode of Amy and TJ where we are talking about a missing congressman. We're talking about Congressman Tom Kane, a Republican from New Jersey, fifty seven years old. He's in his second term. He is running for reelection. He comes from a major political dynasty there in New Jersey. His father was the storied governor of New Jersey there, Tom Kin Senior. But he has not voted in Congress since March fifth, and he ain't been seen since.
00:12:55
Speaker 1: But no one has laid eyes on the guy. We say missing. That's not a stretch. Where is he?
00:13:01
Speaker 2: No one knows, nobody and Lord knows. Reporters have been trying.
00:13:05
Speaker 3: I mean I've read I read so many reports where they went to.
00:13:09
Speaker 2: This house, in that house, in this house.
00:13:11
Speaker 3: They've you know how tenacious photographers reporters are. And you've got a missing congressman. Yet they are on the case trying to find him, and they have not been successful.
00:13:22
Speaker 1: That's something nobody's laid eyes on a member of Congress in three months robes that will raise some eyebrows. They are giving us the answer, at least a vague one, that there's some medical issue, but other than that, answers have been not very forthcoming.
00:13:37
Speaker 3: Yes, So on May fifteenth, we heard from Tom Kaine's father, Tom Kain Senior, the aforementioned former governor.
00:13:45
Speaker 2: Here was his quote.
00:13:47
Speaker 3: It took a real illness to knock him out. This won't linger. It's not some kind of disease that's going to incapacitate him in the future. The consensus is that he will be one hundred percent And okay, So I'm wondering if he's contagious at this point, like, why wouldn't he be somewhere I'm thinking hotavirus, I'm thinking ebola.
00:14:09
Speaker 2: No, I'm teasing, but that was the only other thing I thought.
00:14:12
Speaker 3: Autoimmune disorder where somehow you look disfigured, whether it's some sort of paralysis, some sort of horrific rash all over his face, there could be some sort of autoimmune disease, or there's something massively contagious where he has to be in an isolation unit. Other than that, I can't imagine because what his father described doesn't sound like cancer or something where you'd have long term concerns where you'd have to fight for your life. That doesn't seem what like the type of illness anyone is describing a.
00:14:46
Speaker 1: Real I'm breaking down every single word in here. A real illness, a real one, A real illness so beyond the cold, it took a real illness. And then he said it's not a disease, not some kind of disease. What he could be a disease? Like is such a mystery? Every word here I'm hanging on to.
00:15:06
Speaker 3: That's why I was going to autoimmune disorder. But here's the deal. In an era where social media and transparency and keeping it real and the oppression Olympics seem to garner a lot of support, I actually was trying to come up with the reason why an elected official wouldn't want the sympathy, wouldn't want the support, wouldn't want the attention, wouldn't use I hate to say this, but use an illness or something you're battling a struggle to his advantage with the voters. Like I would just assume most politicians would say, Hey, while this is tough, I'm going through it. This actually could benefit me because, yes, people will connect with me. People will be rooting for me, people will be praying for me. They will be supporting like he has just disappeared.
00:15:57
Speaker 1: And on the flip side of that, even if you're not that cynical, you would expect Robes, that someone with the heart in the right place might do it just to connect to others, to say I'm with you, Yes, it's okay. Yes, So it's just I just really really hope this guy is okay. His dad also mentioned he used the phrase he is under a doctor's care. He is under a doctor's care. Why say, what does all this mean? Robes? But we did hear from and again we're speaking about it now because some members of Congress in there in New Jersey said they have heard from him in recent days on the phone, like he's checking in by phone finally, So maybe he's getting better or he's I guess the timing with everything happening with people are starting to cast votes, it's a big deal, so who knows, but they're starting to hear his voice. But he also did an interview on May twenty first Robes, where he did confirm Yeah, he plans on being on the campaign trail.
00:16:55
Speaker 3: It's almost like he had to have a proof of life, Like I want to see a picture of him with the current newspaper headline, and that's kind of where we are.
00:17:03
Speaker 2: That's how little information we have right now.
00:17:06
Speaker 1: Bro, that's what you're saying is not a stretch. He has not checked in with his with the voters to let them hear his voice or see his face in three months.
00:17:14
Speaker 3: I actually checked out his Instagram account and it's just all you know, like basically like.
00:17:22
Speaker 2: Words and pictures and signs. It has nothing of him.
00:17:26
Speaker 3: The last one of him is from yes months ago, I believe early March.
00:17:31
Speaker 2: So he has not been seen in public. He hasn't posted any.
00:17:33
Speaker 3: Pictures and maybe someday soon we'll find out. At least I would hope his voters would expect that from him in short order, and.
00:17:44
Speaker 1: Hope he's okay. I mean, I hope he emerges not because of politics, but because he's actually in better health coming up. So yeah, and he doesn't have to tell us anything Robes if he wants to keep that private. But but yeah, to his vote is it seems like they are really right now they have no representation in Congress. Wow.
00:18:05
Speaker 3: Okay, so obviously we will be keeping our eye on this situation and the moment we hear from or see Congressman tom Kin, we will hop on and let you know.
00:18:16
Speaker 2: But in the meantime, thank you as always for listening to us. Everyone. I'm Amy Roeboch alongside TJ. Holmes. We'll talk to you soon.
Speaker 1: Hey there, folks. It is Tuesday, May twenty six, and the case, the mystery really of the missing member of Congress. Yes, a congressman from New Jersey has not shown up to work in nearly three months, and in fact no one has seen him at all, and barely are we starting to hear his voice. And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and DJ Rose. As the longest you've gone without going to work and not telling anybody you were going to be there or why?
00:00:34
Speaker 2: That's called never?
00:00:35
Speaker 1: Okay? Unexplained absences are just something you can do right at work.
00:00:38
Speaker 3: No, I don't think most people would be able to keep their jobs if they had an unexplained absence, talked about an unidentifiable illness and then just said that's all. There are no details, there is no explanation. There is no information surrounding where Congressman Tom Kane has been, what he is suffering from, and why he can't be seen in public.
00:01:10
Speaker 1: So he hasn't been the work since March fifth. Yes, we are talking about a Republican Congressman from the seventh District in New Jersey. This is the northern part of the state. But his name is Tom Kane. He's actually part of a legacy family there in the state of New Jersey. His dad served in Congress, his dad was governor as well, his grandfather, the great grandfather. They were all actually members of Congress, so the name is very familiar there. But Rogues he voted March fifth in Congress. Congress then went on recess. He ain't been back.
00:01:43
Speaker 3: I believe the count was last Thursday. He missed his one hundredth vote. So if he is your representative in your district in New Jersey and he is running for reelection currently, how well does that sit with voters that he has missed one hundred votes in Congress with no actual specific explanation other than what is the term that they've given it, just a medical.
00:02:09
Speaker 1: Situationtional medical issue. It's been that vague, and I think no question voters would be willing to give sympathy. Of course, I mean they would even, Yeah, you need to miss a little time, that's okay, And I don't think voters would punish him for that. What made this situation so odd is there seems to be a a very noticeable lack of transparency here.
00:02:38
Speaker 2: And that's the issue.
00:02:39
Speaker 3: Look, I understand people obviously are entitled to their privacy, especially when it comes to health issues that I think anyone can understand, and especially if you've gone through a private health battle. It's something that people don't necessarily want to share and shouldn't have to share for whatever reason. But when you were an elected memory of Congress and your job is to serve and represent the people of your district, it would just seem as though you would expect someone in that high profile of a public position to at least offer an explanation as to why he can't be there. And we don't have to get details. But this is truly a mystery, and I think a lot of folks are pointing to the fact that it's remarkable, first of all, that no one has talked. There's been zero even there's not even been a whisper. But they're talking about obviously members of the press have tried to see this is a wealthy family that have multiple homes. They're saying in some places, a truck hasn't moved in months, he hasn't been seen, his face has not been seen in public. No one can actually point to a time or a moment where he has been seen in public.
00:03:53
Speaker 1: And up till very recently a lot of his colleagues said they couldn't even get a hold of him. They would send him messages just out of concern and radio silence. This is an odd situation, Robes, because of what you mentioned. Now, to go through the timeline and went back to March fifth, he didn't show up. After that, he did one vote, they went on recess. I think they were supposed to come back March sixteenth or something like that. He didn't show up. So then March twentieth, Robes is the first time they at least publicly acknowledged. As we go through the timeline here, March twentieth is the first indicator we got that something was up with its health.
00:04:28
Speaker 3: Yes, we got a very brief statement from his folks saying the Congressman is addressing a personal health matter. He will be returning to a full regular schedule soon.
00:04:40
Speaker 1: Now that's as vague as you can get personal health matter, and that how that they have kept it vague Robes throughout. So we almost go a full month without an update, a significant one. But Speaker Johnson did say he talked to Caine by phone and said he expects to be back to one hundred percent very soon. Again, that was April twenty third. Speaker Johnson at least got to hold them on the phone, and that was the expectation runs with April May. We're a month plus passed that, and he was expected to be back in one hundred percent very soon.
00:05:14
Speaker 2: Right very soon. April twenty third.
00:05:16
Speaker 3: So four days after Speaker Johnson spoke with Congressman Kin, the Congressman actually released a statement. Okay, so now we're going to get some details, right, Okay, three paragraphs. We'll read them for you and just see if you can discern anything out of this. I want to thank my constituents and colleagues for their patients as I address a personal medical issue. 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. I expect to return to a full schedule and be at one hundred percent. I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult. I am especially proud of my congressional team who have kept constituent services and legislative work moving forward without interruption, and my political team for ensuring the campaign continues to run strong. I also want to thank my friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their patients and understanding during this time. I appreciate your support and look forward to being back in the near future.
00:06:27
Speaker 1: Near future, very soon. Okay, full schedule, one hundred percent recovery will be complete. Back to the job ropes. Okay, I guess this will pass or he is least speaking as if he is going to make a full recovery from whatever it is. I guess he's certainly hopeful of that, but he's putting it out there sounding as if that's the case. What in the world is going on with him? Certainly want him to be okay, yes, But.
00:06:57
Speaker 3: Then it gets even stranger because after that statement on April twenty seventh, about two weeks later, we get the most bizarre comment from Cain's chief of staff.
00:07:10
Speaker 1: And this was an accident, This was a slip. I don't think they were trying to no, yes, announce this right.
00:07:15
Speaker 3: He wasn't trying to make a statement, but I believe they. I don't know what he was asked that that produced this response, But this response is a doozy. He said, there are no cameras where he is what and that is really bizarre.
00:07:33
Speaker 1: And look, he didn't elaborate, He wouldn't explain because they did follow.
00:07:37
Speaker 3: Up and for anyone, obviously, people are concerned about the congressman's health and certainly his constituents and people who are his coworkers there in Congress. Regardless of what your political affiliation, everyone of course is rooting for Congressman Kane and want him to come back healthy and happy and back one hundred percent as he claims he will be. But you start to scratch your head because look, as someone one who went through cancer, I made the choice to be public about it. But certainly that's not something where you can say I'll be back soon and one hundred percent. And frankly, people have treatment. How many members of Congress go through treatment, go through chemo, go through all sorts of medical treatment treating a disease while still showing up to Congress. It doesn't usually preclude you from not being able to travel or to vote, or at least to show your face or at least to make a statement. So the idea would be, then if you say there are no cameras where he is that maybe for some reason there's some physical aspect to what he's suffering from that he doesn't want to appear in public because there is something physical about his appearance that makes him want to hide.
00:08:47
Speaker 1: He is choosing to hide from public. I don't think there's any other way to put that. Why is he chosen to do so? I mean, I don't I mean so much of the question than the debate here. Hey, if he's going through something, let him go through it on his own in privacy, and who knows how devastating it is for him, for his family potentially, and what this all? Yes, but Robes there is something to public service, and there is something to answering to your boss. And even if you don't have to give your boss with your constituents all of the information, it's tough to argue that he didn't know them a little more than he's given him.
00:09:30
Speaker 3: It doesn't make a lot of sense, especially for a congressman who is in a re election.
00:09:35
Speaker 2: Yeer, look, his primary is coming up.
00:09:38
Speaker 3: He's running unopposed on the primary, so he's going on the ballot as the Republican.
00:09:42
Speaker 2: There's no question about that.
00:09:43
Speaker 3: So he doesn't have the immediate need to be out there knocking on doors for June second, because he is running unopposed in the primary. However, he is still in an election year. And it just this is not any behavior you would expect from a congressman or any elected official who is trying to win.
00:10:04
Speaker 2: People's trust or at least keep their trust.
00:10:07
Speaker 3: It doesn't make any sense you would just go away and not offer any real explanation as to why you are actually in hiding anyone. If you if you talked about whatever you're suffering from, that actually would Garner.
00:10:20
Speaker 2: I'm imagining a lot of support, a lot of well wishes.
00:10:24
Speaker 1: Hold how I mean, it's a health I mean, it's it's different for people. Ro it's how personal that is.
00:10:29
Speaker 2: That's true.
00:10:29
Speaker 1: How it just it just is and we want to give that I mean, ex then that respect, okay, But to disappear his district is not being representative. They do not have a voice in Congress. They do, I mean, if they're not going to have one, they owe an explanation for why they don't have one currently. That's okay. Put someone out in front of a camera to say something, and if you don't want to do it, or if he can't do it, have his wife or the next person or the next person. Somebody hopes to make that district feel better. And yes, there's politics at play here, Rod, It's a district that goes back and forth and who they vote for.
00:11:08
Speaker 3: New Jersey isn't known for its Republicans very often. I mean they are there. Obviously, we had some very prominent ones emerged as governor and as representatives of the state. But it isn't a necessary Let's just say it's it's not a red state.
00:11:23
Speaker 1: And that district voted the last couple of elections went for Trump and then went for the Democrat who was running in the election. So that state, that very district has shown that it will do democratic and Republican. And given the numbers that Mike Johnson, that poor fellow up in Congress, I just I swear if I ever meet him, I'm just gonna hug him. See God bless your brother. But just he's always people's health issues have an impact on numbers and the president's agenda and the mid terms. This is bananas, but stay here, We're going to add something more to it. His dad, Yes, Tomin Junior's dad Tom Kane Senior. Again, he is the one who spent time as the governor there of New Jersey. He added to some of this mystery, or did he robes? He might have given us more information than anyone has so far.
00:12:14
Speaker 3: Stare Welcome back everyone to this episode of Amy and TJ where we are talking about a missing congressman. We're talking about Congressman Tom Kane, a Republican from New Jersey, fifty seven years old. He's in his second term. He is running for reelection. He comes from a major political dynasty there in New Jersey. His father was the storied governor of New Jersey there, Tom Kin Senior. But he has not voted in Congress since March fifth, and he ain't been seen since.
00:12:55
Speaker 1: But no one has laid eyes on the guy. We say missing. That's not a stretch. Where is he?
00:13:01
Speaker 2: No one knows, nobody and Lord knows. Reporters have been trying.
00:13:05
Speaker 3: I mean I've read I read so many reports where they went to.
00:13:09
Speaker 2: This house, in that house, in this house.
00:13:11
Speaker 3: They've you know how tenacious photographers reporters are. And you've got a missing congressman. Yet they are on the case trying to find him, and they have not been successful.
00:13:22
Speaker 1: That's something nobody's laid eyes on a member of Congress in three months robes that will raise some eyebrows. They are giving us the answer, at least a vague one, that there's some medical issue, but other than that, answers have been not very forthcoming.
00:13:37
Speaker 3: Yes, So on May fifteenth, we heard from Tom Kaine's father, Tom Kain Senior, the aforementioned former governor.
00:13:45
Speaker 2: Here was his quote.
00:13:47
Speaker 3: It took a real illness to knock him out. This won't linger. It's not some kind of disease that's going to incapacitate him in the future. The consensus is that he will be one hundred percent And okay, So I'm wondering if he's contagious at this point, like, why wouldn't he be somewhere I'm thinking hotavirus, I'm thinking ebola.
00:14:09
Speaker 2: No, I'm teasing, but that was the only other thing I thought.
00:14:12
Speaker 3: Autoimmune disorder where somehow you look disfigured, whether it's some sort of paralysis, some sort of horrific rash all over his face, there could be some sort of autoimmune disease, or there's something massively contagious where he has to be in an isolation unit. Other than that, I can't imagine because what his father described doesn't sound like cancer or something where you'd have long term concerns where you'd have to fight for your life. That doesn't seem what like the type of illness anyone is describing a.
00:14:46
Speaker 1: Real I'm breaking down every single word in here. A real illness, a real one, A real illness so beyond the cold, it took a real illness. And then he said it's not a disease, not some kind of disease. What he could be a disease? Like is such a mystery? Every word here I'm hanging on to.
00:15:06
Speaker 3: That's why I was going to autoimmune disorder. But here's the deal. In an era where social media and transparency and keeping it real and the oppression Olympics seem to garner a lot of support, I actually was trying to come up with the reason why an elected official wouldn't want the sympathy, wouldn't want the support, wouldn't want the attention, wouldn't use I hate to say this, but use an illness or something you're battling a struggle to his advantage with the voters. Like I would just assume most politicians would say, Hey, while this is tough, I'm going through it. This actually could benefit me because, yes, people will connect with me. People will be rooting for me, people will be praying for me. They will be supporting like he has just disappeared.
00:15:57
Speaker 1: And on the flip side of that, even if you're not that cynical, you would expect Robes, that someone with the heart in the right place might do it just to connect to others, to say I'm with you, Yes, it's okay. Yes, So it's just I just really really hope this guy is okay. His dad also mentioned he used the phrase he is under a doctor's care. He is under a doctor's care. Why say, what does all this mean? Robes? But we did hear from and again we're speaking about it now because some members of Congress in there in New Jersey said they have heard from him in recent days on the phone, like he's checking in by phone finally, So maybe he's getting better or he's I guess the timing with everything happening with people are starting to cast votes, it's a big deal, so who knows, but they're starting to hear his voice. But he also did an interview on May twenty first Robes, where he did confirm Yeah, he plans on being on the campaign trail.
00:16:55
Speaker 3: It's almost like he had to have a proof of life, Like I want to see a picture of him with the current newspaper headline, and that's kind of where we are.
00:17:03
Speaker 2: That's how little information we have right now.
00:17:06
Speaker 1: Bro, that's what you're saying is not a stretch. He has not checked in with his with the voters to let them hear his voice or see his face in three months.
00:17:14
Speaker 3: I actually checked out his Instagram account and it's just all you know, like basically like.
00:17:22
Speaker 2: Words and pictures and signs. It has nothing of him.
00:17:26
Speaker 3: The last one of him is from yes months ago, I believe early March.
00:17:31
Speaker 2: So he has not been seen in public. He hasn't posted any.
00:17:33
Speaker 3: Pictures and maybe someday soon we'll find out. At least I would hope his voters would expect that from him in short order, and.
00:17:44
Speaker 1: Hope he's okay. I mean, I hope he emerges not because of politics, but because he's actually in better health coming up. So yeah, and he doesn't have to tell us anything Robes if he wants to keep that private. But but yeah, to his vote is it seems like they are really right now they have no representation in Congress. Wow.
00:18:05
Speaker 3: Okay, so obviously we will be keeping our eye on this situation and the moment we hear from or see Congressman tom Kin, we will hop on and let you know.
00:18:16
Speaker 2: But in the meantime, thank you as always for listening to us. Everyone. I'm Amy Roeboch alongside TJ. Holmes. We'll talk to you soon.