Full Breakdown
Tom Kean fundraiser turns reporter away, police called
8/24/2026, 12:55:45 AM
Fundraiser incident
New Jersey Republican Rep. Tom Kean (57) hosted a campaign fundraiser at Hawk Point Golf Club in Washington Township on a Friday. House Speaker Mike Johnson attended to support Kean’s re-election bid. Times reporter Tracey Tully arrived for an interview, was told the event was private, and was denied entry despite other media—Fox News reporter Liz Elkind and a Pennsylvania TV reporter—being inside. Police were summoned after someone inside the venue reported Tully as a trespasser. Sgt. Tully was unable to speak with Kean, and his office declined further interview requests.
Political backdrop
Earlier this year Kean took an unexplained three-month absence from Congress, later attributing it to treatment for depression. The fundraiser was part of his effort to retain the competitive 7th congressional district seat, where Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett is running.
Official statements & responses
Speaker Johnson commented on the incident, noting that Kean should have been more forthcoming with voters about his prolonged absence. “You know, if it were me, I would have done it a little sooner,” — House Mike Johnson
Kean’s X post framed the reporter episode as a partisan attack, while Rep. Rob Menendez (D) released a video showing Kean refusing questions from a local New Jersey reporter on Capitol Hill.
What’s next
No additional public statements from Kean’s office have been reported, and the campaign continues toward the upcoming election in the district.
