Thomas Kean

Representative Thomas Kean Jr., a New Jersey Republican running for re-election in one of the country’s most competitive districts, finally explained on Tuesday why he had been missing from Congress and out of public view for nearly four months.

“Several months ago, due to health concerns, I entered the hospital for some testing,” he said.

“I was given the diagnosis of depression,” he added.

His five-minute speech on the House floor appeared heartfelt and addressed some of the questions surrounding his mysterious absence, yet left others unanswered.

He did not elaborate on why he had entered the hospital or where he had been treated. He did not discuss medication or long-term treatment needs. He did not explain why it had taken so long for doctors to clear him to return to work.

Mr. Kean spoke from a lectern on the House floor during a tightly choreographed period that takes place before voting starts. Members can speak for up to five minutes to a largely empty chamber, and reporters are not given an opportunity to ask follow-up questions. Mr. Kean did not hold a news conference and refused to respond to requests for additional information as he moved through the Capitol.

Mr. Kean, 57, had been out of public view from early March until last Wednesday, when he answered the front door of his Westfield home after a reporter for The New York Times spotted him from the street, standing in a brightly lit front room.

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