New Jersey Republican distances himself from Trump on local spending

New Jersey Republican congressman Tom Kean Jr. has broken with President Trump on some issues while supporting him on others, as he campaigns for reelection in 2026. Kean opposes Trump's plan to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America." He also wants federal money for a Hudson River tunnel, even if Trump does not. But Kean has backed Trump's tariffs, saying they lower costs for consumers. He also supported the early US military strikes against Iran. Trump has endorsed Kean despite these disagreements. Kean represents a district that voted for Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, so he needs moderate voters to win. He was away from Congress between March and June 2026 because of depression and a hospital stay.