ALBANY, N.Y — Former Rep. John Katko is rooting for the Republican moderates as the House speaker fight drags on without a resolution in sight.

Katko cheered Republicans from New York who represent swing districts around the New York City area for opposing Rep. Jim Jordan’s bid for speaker. For him, it’s a sign that hardball tactics from the far right in the conference won’t always work.

Katko knows a lot about swing district politics: For four terms, he represented a battleground seat in the Syracuse area. He was willing to oppose fellow Republicans’ proposals for Obamacare and cast a vote to impeach former President Donald Trump following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

In an interview with POLITICO, Katko lauded New York freshman Reps. Anthony D’Esposito, Nick LaLota and Mike Lawler as well as second-term New York lawmaker Andrew Garbarino for opposing Jordan’s bid on three ballots.

The narrow Republican majority in the House could hinge on whether those lawmakers are reelected next year because New York is a vital swing state in six races in 2024.

House Republicans on Monday are set to try again and find a new speaker with a field of nine candidates. But Katko is also worried the impasse will have long-lasting effects for Republicans going forward and has exposed deep divisions within the party.

The interview is edited for length and clarity.