Remember Lee Zeldin? Why did he get votes for House speaker?

Former Long Island Congressman and failed gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin isn’t on any ballot, but he still managed 10 votes last week.

The political miasma gripping the House of Representatives turned even odder when three current Long Island Congressmen — Anthony D'Esposito, Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota — each voted three times for Zeldin for House speaker. They were joined by Rep. Marcus Molinaro of upstate New York in voting for Zeldin on the third ballot. 

House rules allow anyone to be nominated to serve as speaker, not just current members of Congress. Zeldin, a Shirley Republican, lost in 2022 to Gov. Kathy Hochul.

D’Esposito, Garbarino and LaLota — all Republicans — formed a small voting bloc hoping to draw attention to issues facing Long Island. Rep. George Santos, also a Republican who represents part of Nassau County, voted three times for Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, who failed to win the speakership.

D'Esposito, Garbarino and LaLota released a joint statement on X last week stating they are a “unified front” representing Long Island, and that they insist the next House speaker prioritize "SALT cap relief, 9/11 healthcare funding, flood insurance legislation, and assurances that we curb runaway federal spending" to avoid a government shutdown.

In another statement, the three Long Island Republican congressmen said they are eager to elect a speaker who commits to helping Long Island.

“This process has always been about policies which put Long Island first, not any person or politics,” the statement signed by D’Esposito, Garbarino and LaLota reads. “For weeks, we have been incredibly open and transparent with every candidate for speaker about the need to support the best interests of our constituents including keeping government open while securing the border and fixing the budget, SALT cap relief, flood insurance, and the World Trade Center Health Program.”

Molinaro, a Republican, said in a statement he joined with D’Esposito, Garbarino and LaLota in voting for Zeldin because of his strong stand on Israel.

“I voted for Lee Zeldin,” Molinaro said in a statement. “He’s championed crucial fights like driving down inflation, securing the border, and is an unwavering supporter of Israel.”

LaLota was clear about why he voted for Zeldin and not Jordan, who received 200 votes in the first ballot, narrowly missing becoming House speaker. "I've been up front about withholding my support without reliable commitments on these important issues," LaLota said in a statement. "When I said I'd always put Long Island first, I wasn't bluffing."

D'Esposito responded to LaLota's post on X, "I second that motion."

House Republicans, who hold a 221-212 majority, were expected to continue to work to nominate a candidate for speaker this week, after the Herald went to press.