--- title: "Gallant vs. LaLota: 2026 New York’s 1st District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ny-01" updated: "2026-10-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 New York’s 1st District race: Christopher Gallant (D) vs. Nicholas J. LaLota (R) Rating: Lean R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 1, 2026 In New York's 1st Congressional District, Republican incumbent Nicholas J. LaLota faces Democratic challenger Christopher Gallant, an Army National Guard pilot, former air traffic controller, and union leader. The contest hinges on key Long Island priorities, including lowering the cost of living, restoring the SALT tax deduction, healthcare access, infrastructure resilience, border security, and government accountability. ## Candidates - **Christopher Gallant** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christopher_Gallant) - **Nicholas J. LaLota** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://www.nicklalota.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) ## Issues ### Cost of living and tax policy Salience: high Gallant favors targeted price-gouging protections, expanded family tax credits, and SALT relief, while LaLota promotes curbing federal spending, rolling back federal regulations, and expanding domestic energy alongside restoring the SALT deduction. **Christopher Gallant:** Supports middle-class tax relief and price controls Gallant focuses on easing high living costs for Long Island families by advocating for permanent SALT relief, curbing price gouging on essential goods, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and reducing student loan debt. He emphasizes creating an economic environment where working families and young people can afford to stay in the district. - Advocates for permanent SALT (State and Local Tax) relief for Long Island homeowners. - Proposes cracking down on corporate price gouging in groceries, fuel, and housing essentials. - Calls for expanding income-based student debt repayment, protecting Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and refinancing federal student loans. - Supports expanded Child Tax Credits and childcare affordability programs. > “Tackle affordability, from housing to groceries to energy, so Long Island families can build stable, secure lives without being priced out of the communities they love.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christopher_Gallant) > “Permanent SALT relief so Long Island homeowners can keep more of what they earn.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) **Nicholas J. LaLota:** Supports spending cuts, energy production, and SALT restoration LaLota advocates for curbing inflation through federal spending cuts, deregulating domestic energy production, and restoring the SALT deduction. He has supported major spending reduction measures in the House and signed taxpayer protection pledges. - Leads legislative efforts in the House to restore the full SALT deduction. - Signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayer Protection Pledge. - Voted for spending reduction legislation, including H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) in 2025 and the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. - Championed the REIN IN Inflation Act and REINS Act to restrict executive spending and regulatory costs. > “Leading the fight to restore the SALT deduction and reduce prices by unleashing American energy.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) > “Championed cutting $2.1 trillion in federal spending while protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans Health Care.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) ### Healthcare and entitlement programs Salience: high Gallant pushes for Medicare price negotiation and opposing healthcare funding reductions, whereas LaLota highlights protecting entitlement benefits while cutting government waste. **Christopher Gallant:** Protects Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security Gallant opposes any cuts or privatization of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. He advocates for lowering healthcare costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and capping out-of-pocket medical expenses. - Opposes cuts or privatization of Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. - Supports Medicare drug price negotiation and capping prescription costs for seniors. - Criticizes votes that lead to higher health insurance premiums or medication costs for chronic care patients. > “Protect Medicare, Social Security, and veterans’ benefits because no one who worked or served their whole life should have to fight for what they earned.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christopher_Gallant) > “Oppose any cuts or privatization of Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) **Nicholas J. LaLota:** Supports protecting entitlements and entitlement fairness LaLota pledges to safeguard Medicare, Social Security, and Veterans Health Care while eliminating waste in federal spending. He supported bipartisan legislation aimed at correcting Social Security benefit reductions for public employees. - Pledges to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans Health Care. - Voted YEA on the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82) to reduce benefit offsets for public workers and retirees. > “Championed cutting $2.1 trillion in federal spending while protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans Health Care.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) ### Infrastructure, energy, and environment Salience: medium Gallant frames infrastructure around coastal climate protection and public transit, while LaLota combines funding local clean water initiatives with expanding traditional domestic energy production. **Christopher Gallant:** Supports green infrastructure and coastal resilience Gallant advocates bringing federal infrastructure funding to Long Island to modernize roads, transit, water systems, and the power grid. Drawing on his experience as a first responder, he focuses heavily on climate resilience, coastal storm mitigation, and grid hardening. - Calls for federal funds to modernize roads, bridges, LIRR rail systems, and the local power grid. - Prioritizes coastal defense, beach restoration, and flood mitigation projects post-Hurricane Sandy. - Supports transit-oriented development near transit stations while protecting suburban character. > “Bring federal infrastructure dollars home to modernize Long Island’s roads, bridges, rail, and power grid.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) > “investing in resilient infrastructure to protect our coastal communities from climate change.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christopher_Gallant) **Nicholas J. LaLota:** Supports local infrastructure funding and domestic energy production LaLota focuses on bringing federal funding home for local clean water and public works while boosting domestic oil, gas, and energy production. He co-chairs the Long Island Sound Caucus and voted for major House energy expansion legislation. - Brought over $150 million in federal funding to Suffolk County for clean water, infrastructure, and job creation. - Co-chairs the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus promoting local watershed protection. - Voted YEA on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) to expand domestic energy production and ease permitting. > “Brought $150 million back to Suffolk for clean water, jobs, and infrastructure.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) > “reduce prices by unleashing American energy.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) ### Veterans and military affairs Salience: medium Both candidates leverage military backgrounds, with Gallant advocating for VA administrative reforms and Northport VA staffing, while LaLota highlights his committee work passing defense authorizations and funding 9/11 first responders. **Christopher Gallant:** Supports fully funding VA and expanding veteran care As an Army National Guard veteran and Black Hawk pilot, Gallant focuses on reforming veteran care. He advocates for fully staffing and funding the Northport VA, speeding up appointment scheduling, expanding mental healthcare, and helping veterans transition to civilian jobs. - Calls for fully staffing and funding the Northport VA to eliminate appointment delays. - Supports expanding urgent mental health services and veteran suicide prevention programs. - Advocates for transitional job programs connecting veterans to apprenticeships and employment. > “Make Long Island a national model for veteran care with faster access, stronger mental health services, real housing support, and a Northport VA that finally lives up to what the men and women who served this country deserve.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) > “Fully staff and fund the VA, including the Northport VA, so veterans get timely, high-quality care.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) **Nicholas J. LaLota:** Supports defense funding and veteran healthcare As a Navy veteran serving on the Appropriations subcommittee for Veterans Affairs and Military Construction, LaLota prioritizes military readiness, veteran healthcare, and defense funding. He secured $676 million for 9/11 First Responders and supports defense jobs on Long Island. - Serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies. - Secured $676 million in federal funding for 9/11 First Responders. - Voted YEA on National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA) for FY2024 and FY2025. > “Secured $676 million for 9/11 First Responders. Successfully fighting for more high-paying Long Island defense jobs.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) > “Member of Homeland Security and Armed Services Committees, supporting our troops, Israel and Ukraine against common adversaries.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) ### Government governance, oversight, and election integrity Salience: medium Gallant focuses on protecting voting rights, transparency, and eliminating dark money, while LaLota emphasizes mandatory voter citizenship verification (SAVE Act), term limits, and executive/congressional oversight. **Christopher Gallant:** Supports congressional transparency and voting rights Gallant champions restoring trust in government through increased transparency, regular town halls, reducing dark money, and safeguarding voting rights. He calls for using House oversight powers responsibly rather than for political retaliation. - Advocates for protecting voting rights and upholding the rule of law. - Pledges to hold regular town halls and reduce the influence of special interest dark money. - Urges using House investigative powers strictly for waste, fraud, and oversight rather than partisan theater. > “Restore trust in government by bringing transparency, accountability, and integrity back to Washington.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) > “The U.S. House should use its investigative powers responsibly to conduct rigorous oversight, uphold the rule of law, and ensure transparency and accountability in government, not as a tool for partisan retaliation or political theater.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christopher_Gallant) **Nicholas J. LaLota:** Supports strict voter ID, term limits, and bipartisan oversight LaLota emphasizes holding public officials accountable across party lines, pointing to his early call for George Santos' expulsion and votes to impeach Secretary Mayorkas. He supports term limits and voted for the SAVE Act to require voter citizenship verification. - Voted YEA on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. - Voted YEA to expel Representative George Santos (H.Res. 878) and voted YEA on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405). - Signed the U.S. Term Limits Pledge and advocates for congressional term limits. - Supported the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the Biden impeachment inquiry. > “I was one of the first Republicans to hold George Santos, a member of my political party, accountable for his lies, misuse of campaign funds, and breaking campaign finance laws.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) > “Accountability should transcend party lines; all Members of Congress must be held to the same high standards.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) ### Labor and workforce Salience: medium Gallant advocates for project labor agreements and collective bargaining protections as a former union leader, whereas LaLota highlights trade union endorsements and local defense job creation. **Christopher Gallant:** Supports union protections and labor agreements Drawing on his background as a union president and firefighter, Gallant prioritizes labor protections, fair wages, expanded workforce development grants, and requiring project labor agreements on federal infrastructure projects. - Advocates for project labor agreements on federally funded infrastructure initiatives. - Supports expanding workforce development grants and apprenticeships for young workers and veterans. - Promotes strengthening union collective bargaining rights to build middle-class security. > “Fight for the wages, protections, and opportunities that Long Island’s working people have earned, and build an economy where a union card still means a path to the middle class.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) > “Support project labor agreements for federally funded infrastructure projects.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Campaign site](https://gallantny.com/) **Nicholas J. LaLota:** Supports union endorsements and local job creation LaLota highlights endorsements from regional labor unions, including law enforcement and trade unions, and emphasizes bringing high-paying defense and infrastructure jobs to Long Island. - Endorsed by trade and law enforcement unions, including the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. - Promotes bringing high-paying defense, infrastructure, and manufacturing jobs to Suffolk County. > “Successfully fighting for more high-paying Long Island defense jobs.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) ### Immigration and border security Salience: high LaLota champions strict border enforcement and defunding sanctuary cities, while Gallant does not outline a documented position on immigration in the available materials. **Christopher Gallant:** No documented position in our sources **Nicholas J. LaLota:** Supports strict border enforcement and opposes sanctuary cities LaLota emphasizes securing the southern border, penalizing sanctuary city policies, and strengthening deportation laws for noncitizens convicted of crimes. He serves on the Homeland Security Committee and introduced the No Bailouts for Sanctuary Cities Act. - Introduced the No Bailouts for Sanctuary Cities Act to prevent federal funding for sanctuary jurisdictions. - Voted YEA on the Laken Riley Act (S.5) requiring detention of unauthorized immigrants arrested for theft or burglary. - Voted YEA on the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2) and the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025 (H.R. 875). > “Fighting to secure our borders, hold the Biden Administration accountable, and oppose New York’s Sanctuary City policies with the No Bailouts for Sanctuary Cities Act.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) > “The influx of illegal migrants and sanctuary city policies, particularly in places like New York City, strain our resources and fail to prioritize the needs of American citizens.” > — Nicholas J. LaLota, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Nicholas_J._LaLota) ### Reproductive rights Salience: medium Gallant explicitly pledges to protect federal reproductive rights, while LaLota has no documented position on abortion in the provided campaign sources. **Christopher Gallant:** Supports federal reproductive freedom protections Gallant explicitly identifies protecting reproductive rights and abortion access as a central focus of his campaign theme and policy platform. - Pledges to defend reproductive freedom and abortion access at the federal level. - Identifies defending reproductive rights as a primary passion in public policy. > “I’ll fight to protect voting rights, reproductive freedom, and the rule of law while restoring civility and bipartisanship in Congress.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christopher_Gallant) > “I also believe deeply in defending reproductive rights, safeguarding democracy, and restoring trust in our institutions through transparency and bipartisanship.” > — Christopher Gallant, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christopher_Gallant) **Nicholas J. LaLota:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ny-01-house-election-winner) — NY-01 House Election Winner: Republicans 78.5%, Democrats 21.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-NY01-26) — NY-01 House winner?: Nicholas J. LaLota 81.0%, Christopher Gallant 19.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ny-01)