If you think Long Island politics is all golf courses and garden parties, think again—because Chris Gallant is striding onto the scene with a résumé that could double as a movie script and a mission to turn New York’s 1st Congressional District a little bluer.
The 36-year-old Army veteran, Black Hawk pilot, former air traffic controller, union leader, and volunteer firefighter isn’t shy about his background—or the fact that he’s a proud gay man ready to take on Republican incumbent Nick LaLota in one of the state’s more conservative-leaning districts.
Gallant grew up in Suffolk County, and if you ask him, he’s as “blue-collar” as they come, the kind of neighbor who’ll help shovel your driveway and then stick around to talk local politics over coffee from the deli on the corner.
In his campaign launch, he talked about coming back from deployment in 2023, remembering when $150 could fill a grocery cart, and seeing that same amount barely cover the basics today—something he says is hitting working families hard while billionaires get tax breaks.
He’s quick to call out LaLota for backing what he labels the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a piece of legislation Gallant says strips Medicaid from some residents and hands the wealthy an even fatter wallet.
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Politically, Gallant isn’t playing purity games—he’s voted for both parties and says he doesn’t care what letter is next to your name as long as you have the backbone to do right by Long Island families.
Before politics, Gallant spent years protecting airspace, flying missions to Kuwait, and working alongside his neighbors as a union advocate and firefighter, which he says taught him to make quick decisions and stick by his team when it matters most.
NY-1 is a tough district to flip, stretching from the Hamptons’ windswept beaches to the bustling streets of Huntington, but Gallant’s betting that a mix of service credentials, local roots, and straight-talking common sense will turn some heads—and maybe some votes.
And yes, he’s leaning into his identity without making it the whole story, reminding voters that leadership isn’t about fitting a mold, it’s about showing up for the people you represent, whether that’s in a flight suit, turnout gear, or a suit and tie on Capitol Hill.
As Gallant puts it, “I’ve always put service first in every chapter of my life—this one’s no different.”
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Whether Gallant ends up in Congress or not, one thing’s for sure—Long Island hasn’t seen a campaign quite like this in a while, and it’s already giving voters something fresh to talk about between sips of their morning coffee.