After four months away from Capitol Hill on a previously unexplained medical leave, New Jersey Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. made his public return to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, opening up about his private struggle with depression in an emotional address to fellow lawmakers. The 57-year-old lawmaker, who is gearing up to defend his competitive swing district seat in November’s upcoming midterm elections, confirmed what had not been shared publicly during his absence: he was admitted to a hospital to receive treatment for a newly confirmed diagnosis of depression, a stay that stretched far longer than he initially anticipated.
Kean told the chamber that he entered the medical facility several months ago for routine health testing, never expecting the situation would lead to a months-long stay. When his depression diagnosis was finalized, his care team advised him to remain in the hospital to prioritize his recovery, noting that an extended focused treatment period would speed up his return to full health. In a speech that challenges common misconceptions about mental illness, Kean pushed back on the widespread misunderstanding that depression is just persistent sadness. “It is physical, it is emotional and, until you’ve experienced it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be,” he said. “When people hear the word depression, many people think it simply means feeling sad. But depression is so much more than that.”
During his 142-day absence, Kean missed more than 140 congressional votes, sparking growing speculation and pressure from within his own party to be transparent about the reason for his leave. Prior to Tuesday’s address, Kean had only described his time away as a “personal medical issue” on social media, and even some of his own aides told U.S. media outlets they were unaware of the specific cause of his absence, only confirming that he was under the supervision of medical professionals. Earlier this June, Kean secured the Republican nomination for his district unopposed, clearing the first hurdle on his path to a third term in Congress.
Political analysts and party leaders have flagged Kean’s congressional district as one of the most competitive competitive seats up for grabs this cycle. A classic swing district with a history of shifting between Republican and Democratic control, the seat is viewed as critical to Republicans’ efforts to maintain their majority in Congress. Democrats have identified the district as a top pickup opportunity: unseating Kean would not only shift the balance of power toward Democrats but also mark a high-profile defeat for the movement aligned with former President Donald Trump.