Incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. lost his bid for a third House term Tuesday. He vanished from public view for nearly four months earlier this year with no explanation. The Associated Press called the race for Democrat Rebecca Bennett at 9:48 p.m. Eastern. Kean trailed by a wide margin as ballots were counted late Tuesday night.
Kean missed 140 votes while he was away from the Capitol. His absence began on March 5 and ended on June 30. Few details were shared with the public regarding his condition during that time. Reporters knocked on the door of his New Jersey home, but no one answered.
When Kean finally returned, he revealed he had been hospitalized for depression. He delivered a speech on the House floor to explain his medical crisis. “When people hear the word ‘depression,’ many think it simply means feeling sad,” Kean said. He added that the illness is both physical and emotional in nature.
Both candidates pitched themselves as moderates to appeal to swing voters in the district. Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, focused heavily on healthcare policy. She also tied Kean to President Trump, who has faced low approval ratings. NBC News reported that Democrats felt confident about Bennett as a strong candidate from the beginning.
New York Post noted that a political dynasty ending with this loss traces back to the founding of the United States. This move signaled that the race was likely lost before the final votes were cast. National discontent over gas prices and the war in Iran hurt the Republican campaign. Kean’s mysterious absence gave his opponent a clear target to hit.
In the final weeks, top super PACs withdrew their spending backing Kean, according to NBC News. Kean’s ancestor, William Livingston, served as the first governor of New Jersey. His father, Tom Kean Sr., was governor from 1982 through 1990. The elder Kean later chaired the commission that investigated the 9/11 attacks.
Bennett told reporters she would have been more transparent if she were in Kean’s position. She argued that voters deserve to know why their representative is missing. Kean’s office had previously called it a “personal medical issue” without giving specifics. House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to provide an explanation for the long absence.
With 65% of ballots counted, Bennett held roughly 60% of the vote. Kean held only 38% at that point in the count. At 9:48 p.m. Eastern, the Associated Press called the Bennett race, according to the Washington Examiner. As Democrats aim to retake the House, this outcome turns a crucial seat for them, per Washington Examiner.
Bennett is a mother of two and a former Navy pilot. She had been seen as the frontrunner in this competitive race. The district is one of the most competitive in the entire country. Recent polling had shown Bennett leading Kean by 5 points.
