{"id":3348,"date":"2026-06-30T16:41:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:41:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3348"},"modified":"2026-06-30T16:41:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:41:41","slug":"gop-rep-tom-kean-jr-reveals-reason-behind-mysterious-absence-as-he-returns-to-congress-after-nearly-4-months","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3348","title":{"rendered":"GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. reveals reason behind mysterious absence as he returns to Congress after nearly 4 months"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean Jr. has revealed the reason behind his lengthy absence that kept him out of public view for nearly four months.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI am a private person by nature \u2026 talking about myself has never come naturally. But I believe that I owe an explanation to the people of New Jersey\u2019s 7th District, to my colleagues in this chamber and to the American people for my absence,\u201d he began from the podium Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeveral months ago, due to health concerns, I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression,\u201d Kean, 57, said in the extraordinary speech on the House floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, when people hear the word depression, many people think, simply feel, it means feeling sad. But depression is so much more than that. It is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite feeling hesitant, Kean said he stayed in the hospital at the recommendation of his doctors, a decision he came to be grateful for.<\/p>\n

\u201cI began to understand not only my diagnosis, but how long depression had been affecting my life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first informed the public that I was dealing with a medical issue, I was still trying to understand what was happening myself,\u201d he said of the shroud of secrecy behind his absence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I said I hope to return in a matter of weeks, I believed it. Those were the best estimates that the doctor could provide. But as the over 48 million of my fellow Americans being treated for this illness have come to discover, there is no timeline for healing. There is no timeline for recovery. Only the work of getting better one day at a time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday I am grateful that I listened to my doctors \u2026 I am grateful that I accepted help. Because today I stand before you healthier, stronger, and excited to return to the work that I love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kean returned to his Westfield home Wednesday evening but declined to speak to a New York Times reporter, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you. I\u2019ll talk to you next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Republican\u2019s spokesman, Harrison Neely, told the outlet in a subsequent text message that Kean would be \u201cfully transparent\u201d when he returned to work June 30.<\/p>\n

Rumors swirled in Kean\u2019s absence as his team wouldn\u2019t comment on his disappearance beyond calling it a \u201cpersonal health matter\u201d and claiming the congressman was \u201cfocused on his recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the public had no information about his condition, the details were apparently known by Capitol Hill colleagues, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who earlier this month would only say, \u201cI do know what his health issue is, but he\u2019s asked me not to disclose that, and I\u2019m going to honor that.\u201d<\/p>\n

He assured, \u201cit\u2019s not a scandalous thing at all,\u201d and reminded reporters that \u201cpeople deal with health issues. Maybe that\u2019s a news flash for you, but even members of Congress get sick as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kean hasn\u2019t cast a House vote since March 5, missing more than 140 roll calls since. Some constituents had complained that their calls or emails had gone unanswered.<\/p>\n

His chief of staff, Dan Scharfenberger, inadvertently compounded the mystery May 12 with a cryptic explanation to the Times, \u201cThere\u2019s no cameras where Tom is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

During his absence,\u00a0Kean won the Republican nomination for a third House term repping New Jersey\u2019s 7th Congressional District\u00a0after running in the primary unopposed.<\/p>\n

He will face Democrat Rebecca Bennett in a race seen by many as a toss-up.<\/p>\n

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24\/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more Trump admin live updates: Supreme Court rules on birthright citizenship; upholds state\u2019s trans ban<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean Jr. has revealed the reason behind his lengthy absence that kept him out of public view for nearly four months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"yoast_head":"\nGOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. reveals reason behind mysterious absence as he returns to Congress after nearly 4 months - Metro Transit Review<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=3348\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"GOP Rep. 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