It's come to this. It's now news, so to speak, if Tom Kean Jr. is seen in his house from the street. The New York Times reported Wednesday night that the CD-7 congressman was indeed observed "standing in a brightly lit front room of his Westfield home just before 8:45 p.m."

A reporter knocked and Kean reportedly said, "It's good to see you." That was it.

The line, "good to see you," is one of those standard lines when a politician meets just about anyone.

And it is also one that Kean specifically likes to use.

All this drama is because Kean has been absent from Congress for close to four months - whereabouts unknown.

He has released a few statements - starting in late April - that said he was dealing with an unspecified medical condition.

The latest news is that he will return to Congress on June 30, next Tuesday. If he is in Westfield, at least he's in the district.

That's relevant because previous reports have said his house seemed empty and that some of his neighbors had not seen him.

Kean has pledged to talk about his absence - and his medical condition - when he returns.
Two larger questions:

Will he resume a typical schedule for a congressman?
And how will he campaign for reelection?

His district, which ranges over at least parts of Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties, is by far the most competitive in the state. It is also key to which party ends up controlling the House after the midterm election.

One poll showed Democrat Rebecca Bennett in the lead. Still, one should keep in mind that the district has almost 20,000 more registered Republicans than Democrats.

Bennett in recent days has put endorsement videos on her social media page from Mikie Sherrill and Andy Kim.

"This is a woman who is the full package," Sherrill said.

As for Kean, the governor said, "He is not fighting for our families."