Democrat Chris Gallant has conceded his Long Island House race to Republican Rep. Nick LaLota after the vote count left him about 6,700 votes behind.
Story Highlights
- Gallant called LaLota, congratulated him “as a brother in arms,” and said he fully respects the voters’ decision.
- He trailed by about 6,700 votes, a gap of a little over 2 points, with all but one election district counted.
- His campaign was rocked in September when old photos of him modeling bondage gear surfaced.
- Gallant refused to quit, calling the reports a “coordinated political hit.”
- It was LaLota’s closest race of his three: he won by about 11 points in 2022 and about 10 in 2024, and this time by a little over 2.
Gallant Concedes to LaLota in NY-01
Chris Gallant, a New York Army National Guard helicopter pilot and volunteer firefighter, conceded New York’s 1st Congressional District to Rep. Nick LaLota on Wednesday, November 4. He conceded after the count, with 560 of 561 election districts reporting, showed him about 6,700 votes behind, saying the voters had made their decision. The district is in Suffolk County on Long Island.
In a video posted to his social media accounts, Gallant said he had called LaLota that afternoon. “Last night, the voters of the First District made their decision, and I fully respect it,” he said. He added that he “congratulated him as a brother in arms.” Both men are military veterans. LaLota served in the Navy.
LaLota declared victory late on election night, Tuesday, November 3, at the Suffolk County Republicans’ party in Patchogue. Gallant had held off at first, saying every vote deserved to be counted.
The Photo Scandal That Shadowed the Race
In September, a New York City newspaper and a local Long Island paper published years-old photos of Gallant. In them, he modeled leather and bondage gear for a San Francisco company that sells that kind of clothing. The photos date to early 2010, before he entered public service, according to reports.
Gallant did not deny the photos. His lawyer, Sara Azari, said they were authentic. She said they were taken during a private, consensual photo session with Gallant’s partner at the time. Gallant called the stories a “coordinated political hit” and refused to leave the race. He said he would not let old pictures scare him.
Before the photos came out, the two men had already traded sharp attacks. Gallant called LaLota a “career politician.” LaLota called Gallant “weak and woke.” Gallant pushed back by pointing to his service, saying he had flown helicopters in the Middle East.
What the Result Means
The race was LaLota’s closest of his three. He won by about 11 points in 2022 and about 10 points in 2024. This time the gap was a little over 2 points. He will begin his third term in January 2027.
In his concession, Gallant said a candidate should be judged by his record. “What should qualify them is their resume,” he said. He thanked his donors, volunteers and campaign team. Gallant, 37, said he is not stepping away from public life and will look for other ways to serve his community.
Sources:
greaterlongisland.com, 27east.com, advocate.com, thegatewaypundit.com
