Kentucky Congressman-elect Zach Dembo says speaker decision will hinge on candidates’ willingness to work across party lines

Congressman-elect Zach Dembo of Kentucky said he has not decided which candidate for Speaker of the U.S. House he will support, but he described bipartisanship as a key factor in how he will weigh prospective votes. The comments, made in a Monday interview, come as party leaders in Washington position candidates to consolidate support for the next House speaker.

Dembo, who will represent Kentucky in the House of Representatives after his election, said the decision is not simply about a person’s identity, but about what lawmakers are willing to do to broaden support for governing priorities. He said he is watching for indicates that whoever seeks his vote can work with members who do not share the same political perspective.

In describing what he wants to hear before casting his support, Dembo linked his assessment to how candidates plan to conduct the House’s business once a speaker is chosen, including whether they can attract votes from outside their immediate political circle. He said that willingness to collaborate across party lines would matter in his deliberations.

The House Speaker election is conducted early in a new Congress, with members of the chamber voting among their colleagues for the top leadership role. While major party dynamics can narrow the field, the internal vote often requires persuasion and coalition-building, particularly when margins are close or when some members press for specific policy or procedural commitments.

Dembo’s remarks suggest he expects candidates for speaker to spell out how they would manage the chamber and legislative agenda, including how they would handle contentious issues where consensus can be harder to assemble. He did not publicly name a candidate he plans to back, and he did not provide details on any specific concessions or policy demands.

The comments also reflect a broader Kentucky-to-Washington focus on how federal leadership choices translate into outcomes for constituents, including how quickly legislation moves, how committee and procedural priorities are set, and whether members can negotiate across party lines on budgeting, public services, and other federal responsibilities.

Dembo’s position means his eventual speaker vote will remain undecided until he concludes which speaker candidate can meet the standards he described. As House leaders continue to build support, Dembo’s expectations about bipartisanship may become part of the negotiation calculus for candidates seeking votes from members who want clearer commitments to cross-party cooperation.