New Jersey Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. returned to Congress on June 30 and disclosed that he spent nearly four months away being treated for depression, ending months of public silence about his mysterious absence from the House floor.
“It is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be,” Kean said on the House floor, according to PBS NewsHour. “Today I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love.”
Kean’s last recorded vote in the House was March 5, 2026, marking the beginning of a 116-day absence that saw him miss more than 100 votes without public explanation. His office had said only that he was dealing with a personal medical issue and that his doctors expected him to recover.
The New Jersey Republican, a second-term lawmaker representing the state’s 7th Congressional District, had not been seen publicly in Washington or his district since early March. His prolonged absence raised questions about his fitness to serve, particularly given that the district is a swing seat that includes President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club and has changed hands in the last two midterm elections.
Despite his absence, Kean won an uncontested primary on June 2, with Trump endorsing his reelection. He is set to face Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, in November’s general election. Democrats have targeted the competitive seat as a prime pick-up opportunity.
Kean comes from a prominent New Jersey political family stretching back 250 years. His great-grandfather was a U.S. senator, his grandfather was a congressman, and his father, Tom Kean Sr., served as a two-term governor of the state.
Sources
- PBS NewsHour — Kean’s statement on the House floor, his 116-day absence, missed votes, and family background
- News12 New Jersey — Confirmation that Kean’s last vote was March 5 and he missed 100 votes
- NBC News — Information on Kean’s June 30 return date and his competitive district
- Politico — Details on Kean’s absence since March and his planned return
