SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Election Day is Tuesday, November 3 and GOP incumbent Nick LaLota and Chris Gallant, a Democrat, are waging a fierce race to win the New York State 1st Congressional District seat.
After redistricting, New York's 1st Congressional District includes both the North and South Forks, Riverhead, the northern part of Brookhaven Town, all of Smithtown and all of Huntington.
In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns.
Chris Gallant
How old will you be as of Election Day?
37
Does your campaign have a website?
What city or town do you live in?
Amity Harbor
What office are you seeking?
Congress
If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.
NY-01
Party affiliation.
Democrat
Education
B.S Aviation Management Dowling College
What is your occupation?
Chief Warrant Officer 3
U.S Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot
Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.
My father is a Navy veteran and my mother was in sales. I have a fiancée that is currently deployed overseas in the military.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No politicians, but my father was always committed to serving our country through the Navy.
Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?
I'm not a career politician and haven't held public office. I'm a citizen and lifelong public servant.
Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running for election and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?
I was inspired to run after a life of public service. Life on Long Island has become too expensive, and corruption at the federal level is rampant. It's time for new, fresh leadership that will truly serve working families and voters.
Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing constituents is:
The affordability crisis. Life has become too expensive and families are getting squeezed from all ends.
What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?
My platform is based on a 6-point mission plan for Long Island. PFAS are a threat to our waters and we must allocate funding to protect our sole-source aquifer. Reducing nitrogen pollution, preventing harmful algal blooms, and securing federal support for modern wastewater and septic infrastructure is vital to my mission. I have been endorsed by Sierra Club and Stand Up for Science.
What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?
There's a lot of room for improvement, from electrifying the LIRR to allocating more federal funding to communities across the 1st District. I've pledged to listen closely to local elected officials to deliver funds for the most urgent projects.
How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?
We must expand workforce development grants for young people, veterans, and others struggling to find a job. I will bring federal infrastructure projects to Long Island that will create good-paying local jobs. Investing in manufacturing, clean energy, construction, healthcare, and skilled trades will also be a priority.
How are federal issues impacting local government?
Federal issues deeply impact what happens in local communities. Take FEMA and storm readiness. Long Island is not prepared for the next storm. We must provide additional funding to help improve coastal resilience, including restoring FEMA and bringing federal money to Long Island for beaches, roads, bridges and dams; after Sandy, we know what happens when government doesn't act.
What is your stance on how ICE enforcement has impacted local communities?
ICE is out of control and untrained. We need to reign in this force to keep our community members safe, and work towards sensible immigration reform. Law enforcement exists to serve our communities and they must be held to the highest standard. We need to see meaningful, lasting action and real accountability when it comes to the training and enforcement of federal agencies like this.
What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?
The first major difference between my opponent and I is that I am an independent voice that is not afraid to stand up against party bosses. I would have voted against the Big Beautiful Bill that cut 63,000 Long Islanders out of their healthcare. In addition, I would not have sat and watched while Congress ceded power to declare war to the executive branch. There should always be checks — not unilateral decisions. In addition, I'm spending the campaign meeting voters and engaging with community leaders across all of NY-01. In Congress, I'll be accountable to my constituents and have promised to hold regular town halls to hear directly from voters.
What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
My campaign is run on a 6 point mission plan.
1: Mission One: Lowering the cost of living on Long Island
2: Mission Two: Prepare Long Island for the future
3: Mission Three: Protect Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and provide affordable health care
4: Mission Four: Supporting veterans and military families
5: Mission Five: Supporting labor and working families
6: Mission Six : Restoring trust in government
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As an air traffic controller, firefighter, and Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot, I have real experience in high-stress, critical situations. As a union leader, I stood up for labor rights and the hardships working people and families in New York are facing, and learned how to unite people from different backgrounds in service of a common goal. I'll take all these experiences to Congress to continue my public service at the highest level.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am committed to serving my constituents and their needs. My priorities in office are fighting corruption, hosting town halls, and constituent services. I believe that a representative should be truly committed to serving, and that starts with showing up.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you and why
The best advice that I have ever received was to always be authentic and honest. This has been a guiding principal for how I have shown up throughout my campaign and I will represent Long Island in the same way.
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