Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey returned to Capitol Hill on June 30, 2026, after a nearly four-month absence. He revealed that a depression diagnosis kept him away from Washington.
Who Is Tom Kean Jr.?
Tom Kean Jr. represents New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. He is a two-term Republican lawmaker. He comes from a long line of politicians. His father, former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean Sr., was appointed by former President George W. Bush as a chair of the 9/11 Commission. Kean’s grandfather and great grandfather also served in Congress. Kean was elected to Congress for his first term beginning in 2023, flipping a district that was represented by former Democratic Congressman Tom Malinowski. NPR IllinoisNPR Illinois
Timeline of His Absence
Kean disappeared in early March and was absent for 116 days, with the only explanation being an undisclosed medical condition. Kean last voted in the Capitol on March 5. ABC7 New YorkNBC News
The New Jersey congressman said in late April on social media that he’s dealing with a “personal medical issue,” without specifying what it is, and said he would be back “very soon.” Late last month, he told The New Jersey Globe that he’d be back in the “next couple of weeks.” Yahoo!Yahoo!
In early June, Kean ran unopposed in a primary, with some GOP operatives privately unsure whether he would be on the ticket in November. His office continued to say he planned to run for reelection. Yahoo!
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2026 | Kean casts his last vote before disappearing |
| Late April 2026 | He mentions a “personal medical issue” on social media |
| Early June 2026 | He wins his primary unopposed |
| June 30, 2026 | He returns to Capitol Hill and gives a floor speech |
What Happened on His Return
He arrived at the Capitol a little before 10 a.m. Tuesday, remaining silent as reporters peppered him with questions. As he prepared to speak, Kean mingled with his colleagues on the floor, receiving handshakes and cheery greetings from Republicans like Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana and Keith Self of Texas, then leafed through what appeared to be prepared remarks. Yahoo!Yahoo!
Health Diagnosis Revealed
Speaking from the House floor on Tuesday, the second term lawmaker said he had checked into a hospital for testing several months ago after health concerns, and was subsequently diagnosed with depression. He told colleagues, “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.” NPR IllinoisNPR Illinois
Kean is not the first member of Congress in recent years to speak publicly about their struggles with depression. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., took leave from the Capitol in 2023 after he was diagnosed with the illness. A key difference is timing. In Fetterman’s case, his office announced the news within days of his starting treatment. Kean’s office stayed quiet for months. NPR IllinoisNPR Illinois
How Many Votes Did He Miss?
He has missed hundreds of votes, many close, since early March. He missed more than 130 votes during his absence. Yahoo!CBS News
Reaction From Republican Leaders
House Speaker Mike Johnson has spoken by phone with Kean and has said publicly that he’s urged Kean to explain his absence to his voters. On the day Kean returned, Johnson said he believed Kean’s speech would answer people’s questions. CNNCNN
“If it were me, I would have been more specific about that, and I encouraged him to be,” Johnson said. “He will today, but it will, it will be understandable to you. It’s not an uncommon kind of condition and ailment that he’s been fighting, and I think people resonate with it. I think he’ll get a lot of empathy, because it’s something that’s very, very common.” CNN
Party leaders and senior aides have repeatedly told reporters they do not have any idea where Kean is, a rarity for a House GOP leadership team tasked with keeping close contact with rank-and-file members. Even GOP aides privately admit they are frustrated with how Kean’s aides have handled his absence, refusing to disclose his health condition and leaving his constituents in the dark. CNNCNN
Why This Mattered for the GOP
His absence has rattled House Republicans, who are worried it could complicate the GOP’s ability to hold onto a critical swing seat in an already difficult midterm cycle. The congressman is running for re-election and will face off against Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot and healthcare executive, in November. President Donald Trump, who has endorsed the New Jersey Republican, reiterated his support for Kean with a Truth Social post on June 1. CNN + 2
Kean’s Democratic opponent has said his absence shows a pattern. “But let’s be clear: I got into this race because Tom Kean Jr. was failing our community long before this absence,” she said. NPR Illinois
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Tom Kean Jr. |
| Party | Republican |
| State | New Jersey |
| District | 7th Congressional District |
| Term | Second term |
| Absence length | About four months (116 days) |
| Last vote before absence | March 5, 2026 |
| Return date | June 30, 2026 |
| Diagnosis | Depression |
| Reelection opponent | Rebecca Bennett (Democrat) |
This is a sensitive topic involving a mental health diagnosis. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text in the United States.
