Primary Day 2026: Christopher Gallant Wages Democratic Primary For NY's 1st Congressional District

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — As Primary Day unfolds Tuesday, all eyes are on the 1st Congressional District, where two candidates are waging a Democratic primary race with the hopes of unseating incumbent Nick LaLota, a Republican, who is running to retain his seat in the general election this November.

Christopher Gallant and Lukas Ventouras facing off in Tuesday's primary election with the hope of running on the Democratic line for the 1st Congressional District, which spans the five East End towns, Huntington and Smithtown, as well as the northern portion of Brookhaven.

Voting takes place from 6 a.m. from 9 p.m. Tuesday. To find your polling location, click here.

Ahead of the election, Patch posed several questions to Gallant, from Smithtown, about his platform, priorities, experience, and district. See his replies below.

Name- Christopher Gallant

How old will you be as of Election Day?- 37

Does your campaign have a website?- www.gallantny.com

What city or town do you live in? - Amityville Harbor

What office are you seeking?- Congress

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here

Congressional District 1

Party affiliation. - Democrat

Education - BS in aviation management

What is your occupation?- I am an Army National Guard Black Hawk pilot, former FAA air traffic controller, union leader, volunteer firefighter, and public servant from Long Island.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Yes. I’m engaged to my fiancé, who also serves in the military and is currently stationed overseas. Family is incredibly important to me, and I’m fortunate to be very close with my parents, who live in New York’s 1st Congressional District. Their support, along with the values they instilled in me, has played a major role in shaping who I am and my commitment to service.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No. No one in my family works in politics. My father served in the U.S. Navy for seven years, and his commitment to service helped shape my own values and desire to serve others. While my family has a strong tradition of public service and military service, none of them have worked in elected office or partisan politics.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No, I have not.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for waging a primary and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I’m running for Congress because I believe Long Island deserves a representative whose life has been defined by service, not politics.

As a veteran, air traffic controller, volunteer firefighter, and union leader, I’ve spent my career solving problems, protecting people, and bringing individuals together to accomplish a mission. I’m running because too many Long Island families are struggling with rising costs, concerns about healthcare, aging infrastructure, and a growing lack of trust in government.

I decided to run because I believe we need a new generation of leadership that focuses less on partisan politics and more on practical solutions. My campaign is centered on making Long Island more affordable, protecting essential programs like Medicare and Social Security, strengthening our infrastructure, supporting veterans and working families, and restoring accountability in Washington.

At the end of the day, I’m running because I love this community and believe public service is about putting people first. I want to bring the same mission-focused leadership that has guided my military and public service career to Congress.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing constituents is:

The single most pressing issue facing constituents is affordability.

Across Long Island, families are struggling with the rising cost of housing, healthcare, childcare, prescription drugs, and everyday necessities. Too many young people feel they cannot afford to stay in the communities where they grew up, while seniors and working families are being squeezed by increasing costs. Addressing affordability is essential to protecting Long Island’s future and ensuring that people can live, work, raise a family, and retire here with dignity.

What needs to be done to address water quality issues on LI?

Protecting Long Island’s water quality requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both aging infrastructure and environmental threats
We need increased federal investment in wastewater and sewer infrastructure, including expanding sewer systems where appropriate and helping homeowners upgrade outdated septic systems that contribute nitrogen pollution to our bays and waterways. We must also strengthen efforts to reduce harmful algal blooms, protect wetlands that naturally filter pollutants, and support local initiatives that improve water quality throughout the region.

Federal resources should be directed toward addressing emerging contaminants such as PFAS ("forever chemicals") and microplastics, while supporting scientific research and monitoring efforts in areas experiencing declining water quality. From the Peconic Bay and East End waterways to communities facing recurring contamination concerns, we need targeted solutions that protect both our environment and public health.

What do you think can be done to help improve our infrastructure, highways, etc.?

Improving Long Island’s infrastructure requires a long-term commitment to modernization and smart investment. Too many of our roads, bridges, drainage systems, and transportation networks are aging faster than they are being repaired.

At the federal level, we should increase investment in transportation and infrastructure grants that help local governments repair roads and bridges, improve traffic flow, and modernize critical infrastructure. We also need to upgrade stormwater and drainage systems to reduce flooding, particularly as extreme weather events become more frequent.

How would you plan to help local business owners, who are struggling because of high rents, inflation and labor shortages?

Small businesses are the backbone of Long Island’s economy, but many owners are being squeezed by rising rents, inflation, workforce shortages, and increasing operating costs. We need a practical approach that helps local businesses grow, hire, and remain competitive.

First, we need to address affordability more broadly by reducing costs for working families and tackling inflationary pressures that impact both consumers and business owners. We should also expand access to low-interest loans and federal small business programs so entrepreneurs can invest in their operations without taking on unsustainable debt.

How are federal issues impacting local government?

Federal issues have a direct impact on local governments and the services residents rely on every day. From infrastructure funding and disaster relief to healthcare, housing, and environmental protection, decisions made in Washington affect communities across Long Island.

Unfortunately, many residents feel disconnected from their elected officials and frustrated by a lack of transparency and communication. At a time when federal policies are affecting everything from affordability to healthcare costs, it is more important than ever that representatives are accessible, engaged, and willing to listen directly to the people they serve.

I believe elected officials should regularly hold public town halls, meet with constituents, and provide clear updates on the work they are doing in Washington. Too often, residents are left wondering whether their concerns are being heard. Government works best when there is accountability, transparency, and an open dialogue between elected officials and the communities they represent.

If elected, I will make it a priority to hold regular town halls across the district, meet people where they are, and ensure Long Islanders have a direct voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Representation should not be limited to election season. It should be a year-round commitment to listening, showing up, and delivering results.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidate seeking this post?

While both of us share many of the same Democratic values, I believe the biggest difference is the type of coalition I am building and the approach I would bring to the office.

My entire career has been centered around service, leadership, and bringing people together to accomplish a mission. As a veteran, air traffic controller, volunteer firefighter, and union leader, I've worked alongside people from every background, political belief, and walk of life. That experience has taught me that lasting solutions come from building consensus and focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us.

Long Island is a politically diverse region, and if Democrats are going to be successful in November, we need a candidate who can appeal not only to Democrats, but also to independents and moderate voters who may feel left behind by today's political climate. I believe I am the least polarizing candidate in this race and the one best positioned to build the broad coalition necessary to defeat Nick LaLota and deliver results for Long Island.

My campaign has focused on practical solutions to affordability, infrastructure, healthcare, veterans' issues, clean water, and restoring trust in government. Rather than leading with partisan rhetoric, I want to lead with service, transparency, and a commitment to listening to people, even when we disagree.

At a time when our politics often reward division, I believe Long Island deserves leadership that brings people together around common goals and focuses on solving problems rather than scoring political points.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My campaign is focused on a comprehensive roadmap for Long Island's future through what I call the Mission Plan for Long Island, a six-point framework built around the issues residents raise most often.

The plan focuses on lowering the cost of living, strengthening our infrastructure, protecting our environment and water quality, supporting veterans and military families, helping small businesses and working families succeed, and restoring trust and accountability in government.

These priorities are connected. We cannot make Long Island more affordable without investing in infrastructure and creating economic opportunity. We cannot protect our quality of life without safeguarding our drinking water and coastal communities. And we cannot effectively address any challenge if people have lost faith in their government.

My campaign is about practical solutions. The Mission Plan provides a clear roadmap for tackling the challenges facing Long Island while ensuring that the government remains responsive, transparent, and focused on delivering results for the people it serves.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My entire career has been built around service, leadership, and operating in high-pressure environments where people's lives depend on good decision-making.

As a U.S. Army National Guard Black Hawk pilot, I have led missions that required discipline, accountability, and teamwork. As an air traffic controller, I am responsible every day for ensuring the safety of thousands of passengers and coordinating complex operations where there is no room for error. As a volunteer firefighter, I have answered the call during emergencies and worked directly to protect my community. And as a union leader, I have successfully advocated for workers, negotiated solutions, and brought people together to address difficult challenges.

Beyond these individual roles, I have built a grassroots campaign that has engaged communities across Long Island, brought new voices into the political process, and united people from different backgrounds around a shared vision for the future. That experience has reinforced my belief that leadership is about listening, earning trust, and delivering results.

Congress needs more people who have spent their careers solving real-world problems and serving others, not just building political careers. The experiences I've gained in the military, public safety, labor, and community service have prepared me to tackle complex issues, work across differences, and fight for the people of Long Island.

You and your opponent have publicly stated that you would support one another, no matter who wins. Can you explain why this is so important during this critical race?

The stakes in this election are too high for Democrats to remain divided after the primary. While my opponent and I may have different approaches and perspectives, we share many of the same goals for Long Island and our country.

I've always believed that leadership is about bringing people together, not driving them apart. Healthy competition in a primary allows voters to hear different ideas and choose the candidate they believe is best suited for the job. But once voters make that decision, it is important that we unite around the nominee and focus on the general election.

Republicans have held this seat for several terms, and if we want to bring new leadership to Washington, we need a coalition that includes Democrats, Independents, and people from all walks of life who care about solving problems. Supporting one another after the primary demonstrates a commitment to the bigger mission: delivering results for Long Island families.

At the end of the day, this campaign has always been about service, solutions, and putting the interests of our community ahead of personal or political differences.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want voters to know that I am not a career politician. My life has been defined by service to my country, my community, and working families across Long Island.

As a veteran, air traffic controller, volunteer firefighter, and union leader, I have spent my career solving problems, working under pressure, and bringing people together to accomplish a mission. Those experiences have shaped my belief that leadership is not about ideology or partisan talking points. It is about showing up, listening, and delivering results.

I am running because Long Island deserves a representative who is accessible, transparent, and focused on the issues that affect people's daily lives, including affordability, healthcare, infrastructure, clean water, support for veterans and working families, and restoring trust in government. I believe elected officials should regularly hold town halls, engage directly with constituents, and be accountable to the people they serve.

Most importantly, I believe Long Island is stronger when we focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. This campaign is about building a broad coalition of Democrats, Independents, and anyone who wants practical solutions and effective leadership. If elected, I will work every day to earn the trust of the people I represent and put service above politics.

My message is simple: service, solutions, and a stronger future for Long Island.