Chris Gallant
Candidate, NY-1 · Democratic · New York
Chris Gallant is the Democratic nominee for New York’s 1st Congressional District, a National Guard Black Hawk pilot, FAA air traffic controller, and volunteer firefighter challenging two-term Republican Rep. Nick LaLota.
Profile last updated Jul 12, 2026 · Center Field Politics
Scout's Report
A first-time candidate running on a service-and-competence message in a purple eastern Long Island district. No governing record exists yet, so most stats are N/A by design.
Core Strength
20-year military and public-safety background and a disciplined, problem-solving pitch.
Core Weakness
Political newcomer with no legislative record and a district that has leaned Republican since 2015.
Recent Action
Won the June 2026 Democratic primary over Lukas Ventouras (~63%) to challenge Rep. LaLota.
Key Metrics
- Reliability
- N/A
- Documented Controversies
- 0
- Funding Secured
- N/A
No roll-call record available for a non-incumbent.
Official ethics findings or court records only.
No appropriations history for a non-incumbent candidate.
Where They Stand
Stances on the issues many voters care most about. Where a candidate has not given a clear answer we mark it "Mixed / Partial" or "Unclear" rather than guess. Positions are drawn from official records and bias-labeled news sources; they are descriptive only and are never scored.
Environment—Supports3
Climate protections and regulation versus fewer climate-related regulations on industry.
Backs federal climate investment, clean-energy incentives, and emissions limits.
Healthcare—Mixed / Partial3
Expanding healthcare coverage for all versus expanding market-based, private insurance.
Backs a hybrid system with an employer-paid option and expanding Medicare to cover dental, hearing, and vision, rather than full single-payer.
Second Amendment—Supports3
New firearm regulations versus no new firearm regulations.
Supports expanded background checks and other firearm-safety measures.
Immigration—Supports3
Pathways to citizenship versus a closed-border approach.
Supports comprehensive reform, including a pathway for Dreamers.
Roe v. Wade—Supports3
Protecting access to abortion versus restricting access to abortion.
Supports codifying abortion access protections into federal law.
National Security—Mixed / Partial3
Whether diplomacy or military strength should be the primary national-security priority.
Favors diplomacy and congressional authorization over unilateral escalation.
Party Loyalty
No voting record yet; loyalty cannot be measured.