Tom Kean Jr. kept his depression a secret. Colleagues are questioning that decision. By Mia McCarthy and Simon J. Levien 07/01/2026 04:45 AM EDT

Tom Kean Jr. kept his depression a secret. Colleagues are questioning that decision. Fellow lawmakers welcomed the New Jersey Republican back from his four-month absence, but some wondered if he should have said more sooner. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/01/tom-kean-depression-transparency-privacy-00983228?utm_campaign=KHN:+First+Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_daUG_mjxVx6CZM9xc9juFtqiit-wUsr-jS13AyXUq7nk7tgewquih4kbbcbAsgp1cckeWIcXXPrklaJJG7GqIFZHGUA&_hsmi=426614768&utm_content=426614768&utm_source=hs_email Politico: Tom Kean Jr. Kept His Depression A Secret. Colleagues Are Questioning That Decision When Rep. Tom Kean Jr. revealed Tuesday his extended absence from the House was due to inpatient treatment for depression, he ended months of speculation but also fueled a delicate conversation: Just how much privacy are elected officials entitled to? The New Jersey Republican offered only scant details about his condition during the four months he went missing. And while colleagues of both parties expressed sympathy for his mental health challenges and gratitude that he has now returned, many hedged their comments by saying Kean could and perhaps should have said something earlier. (McCarthy and Levien, 7/1)