Thomas Kean Jr. Reveals Reason Behind His Absence from Congress
After months of speculation, Thomas Kean Jr., a Republican representative from New Jersey, has disclosed that his absence from Congress was due to struggles with depression. This revelation came after constituents and colleagues were left in the dark about his whereabouts for nearly four months.
Kean’s last recorded vote took place on March 5th. Since then, he missed numerous sessions and was only recently seen at his New Jersey residence. House Speaker Mike Johnson had previously mentioned that Kean was handling a medical issue but did not provide further details.
Addressing the House, Kean explained that his health concerns led him to seek hospital care, which resulted in a depression diagnosis. He shared, “Talking about myself has never come naturally. But I believe that I owe an explanation to the people of New Jersey’s seventh district, to my colleagues in this chamber and to the American people for my absence.”
Initially, Kean underestimated the duration of his absence, assuming it would last only a few weeks. Emphasizing the unpredictable nature of depression, he said, “It is physical. It is emotional. And until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness could be.”
His return to Congress comes as a relief to the Republican party, which has been navigating its agenda with a slim majority. During his absence, Kean’s office remained tight-lipped, fueling rumors and heightened interest in his situation.
Despite his time away, Kean secured a victory in the recent GOP primary, positioning himself to defend his congressional seat in the upcoming elections against Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former U.S. Navy pilot and healthcare executive.
Bennett has criticized Kean’s absence, asserting that his district is a primary target for Democrats seeking to regain majority control. She expressed to supporters, “Tom Kean Junior, wherever you are, you have failed this district,” but wished him well after his public address.
Kean’s experience is not unique among lawmakers. In 2023, Sen. John Fetterman from Pennsylvania also took leave from Congress due to depression, sharing his diagnosis shortly after starting treatment.
Thomas Kean Jr. was first elected to Congress in 2023, taking over a district previously held by Democrat Tom Malinowski. He hails from a family with a rich political legacy, including his father, former New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean Sr., who headed the 9/11 Commission.
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