US Congressman Tom Kean had been mysteriously “missing” for over four months. He has finally reappeared. The Republican congressman, who had been absent from his duties without explanation, revealed that he had been hospitalized for the treatment of depression. Upon returning to work on Tuesday and addressing the House of Representatives, the New Jersey Republican lawmaker said, “I was diagnosed with depression. It is a physical and mental illness. Unless you go through this experience yourself, it is difficult to fully grasp how powerful and profound an impact this disease can have.”
Reporting this, the BBC notes that 57-year-old Tom Kean is currently running for a third term. Republican leadership is concerned about his seat in New Jersey, as there are fears it could be lost to the Democrats in the upcoming November midterm elections. During his 142-day absence, he missed more than 140 votes, sparking widespread speculation about his physical condition. In his address to the House, Kean explained that he had checked into the hospital for various tests a few months ago due to health concerns, never anticipating that he would need to stay for such an extended period. He stated that following the tests, doctors diagnosed him with depression and advised him to remain hospitalized to continue treatment for a speedy recovery. Kean remarked, “Many people think depression is merely a feeling of sadness. But depression is a far more complex illness.”
He secured the Republican nomination unopposed early last month. Prior to this, he had provided very limited information regarding his prolonged absence, describing it on social media simply as a personal medical issue. Several of his aides—who had told US media outlets that even they were unaware of the specific reason for his absence—had merely stated that Kean was under medical care. Many Republican leaders had called for transparency regarding the true cause of his absence. The seat represented by Tom Kean is known as a ‘swing district’ in New Jersey; this means that in almost every election, the seat is liable to flip between Republicans and Democrats. The November midterm elections will play a crucial role in determining the balance of power in Congress. Retaining Tom Kean’s seat is vital for the Republicans. Conversely, Democrats aim to defeat him and capture the seat, a move that would strengthen their position in Congress and deal a political blow to President Donald Trump.
