Rep. Tom Kean Jr., a Republican from New Jersey's 7th District, disclosed on the House floor that he has been diagnosed with depression, explaining his absence from Congress since March 5, during which he missed over 140 votes. His absence had raised concerns as it extended without explanation, initially described by his office as a personal medical issue.
Kean shared that he sought hospital treatment after experiencing health issues and emphasized the unpredictable nature of recovery from depression.
As he prepares to run for a third term against Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy pilot, his health challenges could impact his campaign in a district that is considered a competitive battleground, although the Cook Political Report currently rates the seat as leaning Republican.
Kean's family has a prominent political background in New Jersey, and he previously won the seat in 2022 by defeating Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski