{"id":3131,"date":"2026-06-30T16:40:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homebuyerrelocation.com\/?p=3131"},"modified":"2026-06-30T16:40:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:40:21","slug":"new-jersey-gop-rep-tom-kean-discloses-depression-diagnosis-after-return-to-congress-from-absence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homebuyerrelocation.com\/?p=3131","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey GOP Rep. Tom Kean discloses depression diagnosis after return to Congress from absence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rep. Tom Kean Jr. said he was diagnosed with depression this year and doctors recommended inpatient treatment that kept him from his job in Washington.<\/p>\n

Read more Supreme Court strikes down limits on campaign coordination between political parties and candidates<\/a><\/p>\n

The 57-year-old New Jersey Republican announced the diagnosis on Tuesday upon his return to Congress after a nearly 4-month absence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen people hear the word depression, many people think you simply feel sad,\u201d he said in a floor speech. \u201cBut depression is so much more than that. It is physical. It is emotional.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Kean has not voted in Congress since March 5 and had not been seen in public until earlier this month after he announced he would return to work in Washington soon.<\/p>\n

The second-term congressman had attributed his absence to a health condition but did not disclose details before his return.<\/p>\n

Mr. Kean said he checked himself into the hospital several months ago \u201cdue to health concerns\u201d and underwent testing. When the doctors diagnosed him with depression, they recommended that he remain in the hospital for treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey explained to me that this would be the fastest way to recover, and to be honest, I was hesitant,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t think that I had time for it. I had responsibility to my family. I had responsibilities to my constituents. I had responsibility to this institution. And like many people, I believed that I could simply push through.\u201d<\/p>\n

The congressman decided to listen to his doctor\u2019s advice but did not anticipate a long-term stay. His initial statement announcing his absence due to a medical issue predicted he would return within weeks, which he said was the best estimate the doctors could provide at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut as the over 14 million fellow Americans being treated for this illness have come to discover, there is no timeline for healing,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is no timeline for recovery, only the work of getting better one day at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Kean said his doctors have cleared him to return to work and that he\u2019s grateful for his constituents\u2019 patience and understanding during his absence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am grateful that I accepted this help, because today I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, told reporters earlier this month that Mr. Kean was \u201cin good spirits\u201d but that he was honoring the congressman\u2019s wishes not to disclose his medical issue.<\/p>\n

Read more Talarico, Paxton deadlocked in new poll as Democrats eye historic Texas Senate upset<\/a><\/p>\n

Shortly before the congressman\u2019s speech, Mr. Johnson told reporters he believes Mr. Kean will \u201cget a lot of empathy\u201d after disclosing his health diagnosis.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not an uncommon kind of condition and ailment that he\u2019s been fighting, and I think people will resonate with that,\u201d the speaker said.<\/p>\n

Mr. Johnson called Mr. Kean \u201ca genuinely good man\u201d and \u201ca person of integrity,\u201d but suggested he could have been more transparent about his condition before his return.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it were me, I would have been more specific about that, and I encouraged him to be,\u201d Mr. Johnson said. \u201cHe will today. But it will be understandable to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Kean said he\u2019s a private person by nature and that talking about himself \u201chas never come naturally.\u201d He said he decided to speak out about his depression diagnosis because he owes it to his constituents and he hopes it could help others struggling with their mental health. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf sharing my story encourages even one person to seek help, to give one family courage to have a difficult conversation, or remind one person that recovery is possible, then this moment will have been worthwhile,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mr. Kean ran unopposed in New Jersey\u2019s Republican primary on June 2.<\/p>\n

He put out a statement as voters headed to the polls, saying he would be transitioning from virtual to in-person work \u201cwithin a matter of weeks\u201d and at that time would be \u201ccompletely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Democrats view Mr. Kean\u2019s seat as a prime pickup opportunity in the midterms this fall. President Trump won New Jersey\u2019s 7th Congressional District by a single point in the 2024 presidential election.<\/p>\n

Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, is the Democratic nominee.<\/p>\n

A poll conducted in late May before the primary found Ms. Bennett leading Mr. Kean in a head-to-head matchup by 4 percentage points.<\/p>\n

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is attacking Mr. Kean for not being transparent with his constituents during his absence and for scheduling a campaign fundraiser on his first evening back in Washington.<\/p>\n

Mr. Johnson was bullish about Mr. Kean\u2019s prospects in November, saying, \u201cI think Tom gets reelected easily this fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Supreme Court shuts down Trump\u2019s attempt to change birthright citizenship<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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