NY-1 ON THE MAP: CHRIS GALLANT ADDED TO DCCC’S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS IN PLAY PROGRAM
Move signals growing momentum behind Gallant campaign and positions NY-1 to flip in November
Suffolk County, New York – Today, the DCCC added NY-1 to its highly competitive Districts in Play program, signaling that Chris Gallant, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the Army National Guard, volunteer firefighter, and NATCA union leader, will receive national investment and support to flip New York’s first Congressional district.
“Since putting on the uniform to serve at 17 years old, I’ve put mission over politics to protect Americans and deliver results when it has mattered most,” said Chris Gallant. “Long Islanders are sick of no-show Nick Lalota cutting back room deals in D.C. while their bills pile up here at home. I’ve been fighting for this country my whole life. I’m ready to flip this seat and bring real relief to Suffolk County.”
The DCCC’s Districts in Play program targets highly competitive Republican-held districts across the country that will determine the House majority. Amid eroding support for House Republicans, NY-1 represents a clear opportunity for Democrats to expand the map in November. As part of the program, the DCCC is launching a fund to directly invest in Gallant’s campaign, drawing national dollars and eyes to one of New York’s premiere pickup opportunities.
A born and bred Suffolk native, Chris first put on the uniform to serve the country at 17 years old, joining the Army following the September 11th terror attacks. While enlisted, Chris deployed to Kuwait in 2012 as an air traffic controller, and again to the Middle East in 2022 as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot defending America’s diplomats and embassies abroad.
Back on Long Island, Chris piloted missions supporting the Secret Service, protecting both parties’ Presidential candidates following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. In his own community, Chris has served as a volunteer firefighter across Suffolk County – and continues to today.
An air traffic controller by trade, Gallant most recently guided flights at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, one of the busiest airspaces in the nation. Over the course of his career, Chris served as a local union president for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, where he advocated for fairer compensation and rest requirements for air traffic controllers.
Today’s addition to the Districts in Play program builds on growing momentum behind Chris and follows key national and statewide endorsements. To date, Chris has been endorsed by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Pat Ryan, and Vote Vets, and 1199SEIU, among others.
