Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. Opens Up About His Battle with Depression
In an unexpected revelation, New Jersey Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. has attributed his prolonged absence from Congress to a struggle with depression, breaking months of silence to explain his situation to his constituents and colleagues.
Kean, a Republican representative, was last seen casting a vote on March 5th, after which he missed several crucial votes and appearances. It wasn’t until April that House Speaker Mike Johnson hinted at a “medical issue” as the cause of Kean’s absence. Recently, Kean was spotted at his residence in New Jersey, ending weeks of speculation about his whereabouts.
Addressing the House floor, Kean disclosed that his health concerns initially led him to seek hospital care for testing, which resulted in a diagnosis of depression.
“Talking about myself has never come naturally,” Kean confessed. “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 anticipated a brief hiatus, but he soon realized that addressing his depression would require a more extended period. Doctors had advised him to remain hospitalized to expedite his recovery.
“It is physical. It is emotional,” Kean stated, describing the intensity of the illness. “And until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness could be.”
Kean expressed gratitude for the support he received, stating, “I am grateful that I accepted help. Today I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love.”
During his absence, Kean’s absence was a challenge for his party, which needed every vote to maintain its slim majority in the House. This lack of communication from Kean’s office led to increased scrutiny and rumors.
Even so, Kean managed to secure a victory in the recent GOP primary, positioning himself for a face-off against Democrat Rebecca Bennett in the fall elections. Bennett, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, has criticized Kean’s absence, labeling it as a failure to serve the district adequately.
“Tom Kean Junior, wherever you are, you have failed this district,” Bennett told supporters recently. Nonetheless, she expressed relief for his improved health following his return to Congress.
Kean’s public admission is not a solitary instance in Congress. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., similarly took leave in 2023 to tackle clinical depression, with public announcements made soon after he began treatment.
Kean’s political career began in 2023 when he flipped a district previously held by Democrat Tom Malinowski. He hails from a prominent political family, with his father, Thomas Kean Sr., having served as New Jersey Governor and his grandfather and great grandfather also having been members of Congress.
