Battleground Republican declares he is 'stronger than ever' as he addresses scrutiny over missed votes

Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., is responding to questions about missed congressional votes after a monthslong hospitalization for depression, saying he is “stronger than ever” as he seeks re-election in New Jersey’s competitive 7th District.

Speaking on “The Fox News Rundown” podcast, Kean discussed his hospital stay earlier this year, explaining that his absence from Congress was due to a medical emergency.

“Nobody can schedule a medical emergency, and we were able to discuss and tell people while I was in the hospital that we [had] a medical situation in the family with me,” he told Fox News’ Mike Emanuel.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN WILL END MONTHSLONG ABSENCE FROM DC AFTER MISSING 135 ROLL CALL VOTES

“I also spoke on the House floor when I returned that I’d been in the hospital for depression because I want to get rid of the stigma associated with any mental health condition.”

In June, Kean returned to the House and disclosed that he had been diagnosed with depression after spending months in the hospital receiving treatment.

MISSING GOP CONGRESSMAN REVEALS HE’S ‘MORE ENERGIZED THAN EVER’ TO RETURN TO WASHINGTON

Kean had been absent from Congress since early March, missing more than 100 votes before publicly disclosing his diagnosis. 

The extended absence drew calls for transparency from lawmakers in both parties and became a focal point for his Democratic challenger, former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, in the competitive district.

Emanuel asked Kean whether his absence had affected his standing with voters.

SWING-SEAT REPUBLICAN SIDELINED BY ‘SERIOUS’ ILLNESS MISSES 88 VOTES AS MAJORITY HANGS BY THREAD

“As I said, I’m feeling stronger than ever. And I tell them the same issue that I just talked to you about. The fact that I had to treat my own mental health, I had to take that seriously,” Kean said.

“I was in the hospital for those months that I was away. I spoke on the House floor that I had depression, and now we need to get rid of any stigma associated with mental health treatment.”

Kean also pointed to his legislative record, highlighting his work on bipartisan legislation in New Jersey that sought to require health insurers to provide equal coverage for mental and physical health treatment. He said he continues to pursue similar efforts in Washington.