Christopher Gallant

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Christopher Gallant completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gallant's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading-bio-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m Chris Gallant, an Army National Guard Black Hawk pilot, Volunteer Firefighter, former air traffic controller and local union president. I am a lifelong public servant running for Congress to represent New York’s First District. I’ve spent nearly two decades serving our country and community, from flying missions overseas to fighting fires at home on Long Island and volunteering my time in the National Park Service when I was younger and currently Jr Vice Commander at my local VFW. I’ve seen firsthand how politics has lost its discipline and focus, and I’m running to change that. I believe in service before self, practical problem-solving, and putting people over politics. My mission is simple: make Long Island more affordable, improve medical accessibility and affordability particularly for seniors and veterans, strengthen our infrastructure, and restore accountability in Washington.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading-key-message-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>Our democracy and freedoms are under threat from political extremes. I’ll fight to protect voting rights, reproductive freedom, and the rule of law while restoring civility and bipartisanship in Congress. My focus is results, not partisanship, because government should work for people, not the loudest voices in politics. I will restore trust and faith in government.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading1-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m most passionate about policies that strengthen the middle class and improve everyday life for working families. That includes affordable housing, education, healthcare access, and fair wages; protecting veterans’ benefits; ensuring government accountability; and investing in resilient infrastructure to protect our coastal communities from climate change. I also believe deeply in defending reproductive rights, safeguarding democracy, and restoring trust in our institutions through transparency and bipartisanship.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading2-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIntegrity, accountability, and discipline. The same principles that guide military service should guide public service. Leaders must listen before they speak, tell people the truth even when it’s hard, and put the mission as in serving their constituents above personal or party gain.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading3-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo represent the people honestly, advocate for their needs, and deliver tangible results. That means listening to all voices, working across party lines, and ensuring that federal resources come back to the district. It’s about service, not self-interest.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading4-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI want to leave a legacy of meaningful change. Proof that principled leadership can still bring people together. I’ve often been told that one person can’t make a difference, but I believe history shows otherwise, and I intend to do my part to prove it again. I want to be remembered for helping reunite our communities, our country, and our allies around shared values and common purpose. At a time of serious challenges at home and abroad, I am ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with leaders to build a stronger, more secure, and more hopeful future for our country.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading5-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe first major historical event I clearly remember was September 11, 2001. I was in high school watching the towers fall, and I remember the shock and the feeling that our country had changed in an instant. That day stayed with me. I knew I wanted to serve my country. I joined the New York Army National Guard at 17 and never looked back. I’ve deployed multiple times to Kuwait, flown missions overseas, and later protected our airspace as an FAA air traffic controller.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading6-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy favorite book is Harry Potter because when the first book was released, I was the same age as Harry. It captured a sense of magic, friendship, and belonging, and showed how bonds forged through hardship can shape who we become. Beyond the fantasy, the story is about courage, loyalty, and standing up for what’s right even when it’s difficult, themes that stayed with me and continue to influence how I think about leadership, responsibility, and service.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading7-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’d choose Jean-Luc Picard because he represents the kind of leadership the world needs more of. Principled, calm under pressure, and guided by ethics rather than ego. Picard leads through diplomacy and reason first, understands the weight of command, and never forgets that power carries responsibility. He also embodies optimism about the future, including the idea that humanity can come together to explore beyond our planet, and being part of a future defined by space exploration, discovery, and peaceful cooperation would be an incredible and inspiring legacy to share in.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading8-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOne of the greatest struggles in my life has been balancing a deep commitment to service with the personal sacrifices that service requires. Whether in uniform, in high-stress public safety roles, or as a union leader, the responsibility to others often comes before personal comfort, time with family, or even certainty about the future. Learning how to carry that weight without becoming hardened or disconnected has been a constant challenge. That struggle has shaped my values, strengthened my resilience, and reinforced my belief that leadership is ultimately about service, accountability, and caring for the people who rely on you.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading9-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe experience matters but not just political experience. Washington isn’t broken because there aren’t enough career politicians. It’s broken because too many people there have spent their entire careers inside the same system, building walls around the far left and the far right, while everyday Americans are stuck in the middle, unheard and unrepresented.<br/><br/>\n<p>I’m running for Congress because it’s time for a change. We need to tear down those walls and start building real solutions from the center out. I bring a different kind of experience rooted in service and results. In the military, I learned that mission comes first and teamwork is not optional. As a union president, I delivered outcomes by finding common ground and aligning interests. As a first responder, I showed up when people needed help, no politics, no posturing, just action.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThat is the kind of experience Washington needs right now. Not more insiders protecting the status quo, but leaders who know how to put people over politics and actually get things done.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading10-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOver the next decade, the United States’ greatest challenges will be restoring trust in our democratic institutions, strengthening economic security for working families, and navigating an increasingly unstable global environment. At home, rising costs, uneven growth driven by automation and globalization, and a housing and affordability crisis are straining the social contract and fueling polarization and disinformation that undermine confidence in government. At the same time, climate change and aging infrastructure pose real risks to public safety and economic competitiveness, while gaps in healthcare and workforce development threaten long-term resilience. Abroad, the U.S. must manage strategic competition with authoritarian powers, protect alliances, and defend democratic norms without drifting into reckless conflict or isolation. Meeting these challenges will require serious governance by investing in people, rebuilding institutions, upholding the rule of law, and leading with steadiness and credibility at home and abroad.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading11-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI met a veteran in Riverhead who told me he’d been waiting months for a VA appointment he desperately needed. I have a friend who is in treatment for pancreatic cancer who due to Nick LaLota’s vote, his insurance has gone up and he needs to decide between bankruptcy or affording the medication he needs to survive. I talk to students at Stony Brook University that have no other options than to move off of Long Island due to the cost of living. These are the conversations that motivate my run for congress.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading12-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAbsolutely! Progress in a democracy depends on finding common ground. Compromise isn’t weakness, it’s leadership. The best solutions come from listening to different perspectives and crafting policies that serve the greater good, not just one side. As a union representative, I learned that the strongest negotiations happen when you connect the ask to shared interests. By demonstrating how our proposals benefited both sides, we were able to reach meaningful agreements. And in the cockpit of a helicopter, I’ve learned the same lesson: completing the mission requires coordination, trust, and compromise. You don’t get where you need to go unless everyone is aligned and working toward the same objective.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading13-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe 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. These powers should be focused on identifying waste, fraud, and abuse; enforcing compliance with existing laws; protecting civil liberties; and strengthening public trust by producing facts, not headlines. Effective investigations should be grounded in clear legislative purpose, respect due process, and lead to concrete reforms that improve governance, safeguard national security, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent as intended.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading14-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t2024 Democratic nominee for congress, John Avlon, former New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Suffolk County Legislator Greg Doroski, Southampton Town Trustee Jimmy Mack, and Brookhaven Town Democratic Chair Anthony Portesy,\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-360036-2026-02-05\" id=\"heading15-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-360036-2026-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is an accomplishment that you are proud of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-360036-2026-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-360036-2026-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOne accomplishment I’m especially proud of was serving as a safety officer within the Unified Command at the Javits Center during the COVID-19 response. In a high-pressure, rapidly evolving environment, I worked to ensure doctors, nurses, and support staff were protected by establishing and reinforcing best safety practices, redesigning the donning and doffing areas to streamline safe entry and exit from the hazard zone, and reducing unnecessary exposure risks. I coordinated closely with partners from multiple federal and state agencies to solve problems in real time, and I also created a dedicated break area for frontline personnel, which improved morale, reduced fatigue, and ultimately increased productivity. Knowing that my work helped keep people safe while they cared for others is something I carry with great pride.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nChristopher Gallant completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gallant's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I’m Chris Gallant, an Army National Guard Black Hawk pilot, Volunteer Firefighter, former air traffic controller and local union president. I am a lifelong public servant running for Congress to represent New York’s First District. I’ve spent nearly two decades serving our country and community, from flying missions overseas to fighting fires at home on Long Island and volunteering my time in the National Park Service when I was younger and currently Jr Vice Commander at my local VFW. I’ve seen firsthand how politics has lost its discipline and focus, and I’m running to change that. I believe in service before self, practical problem-solving, and putting people over politics. My mission is simple: make Long Island more affordable, improve medical accessibility and affordability particularly for seniors and veterans, strengthen our infrastructure, and restore accountability in Washington. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? 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. 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. Our democracy and freedoms are under threat from political extremes. I’ll fight to protect voting rights, reproductive freedom, and the rule of law while restoring civility and bipartisanship in Congress. My focus is results, not partisanship, because government should work for people, not the loudest voices in politics. I will restore trust and faith in government. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I’m most passionate about policies that strengthen the middle class and improve everyday life for working families. That includes affordable housing, education, healthcare access, and fair wages; protecting veterans’ benefits; ensuring government accountability; and investing in resilient infrastructure to protect our coastal communities from climate change. I also believe deeply in defending reproductive rights, safeguarding democracy, and restoring trust in our institutions through transparency and bipartisanship. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Integrity, accountability, and discipline. The same principles that guide military service should guide public service. Leaders must listen before they speak, tell people the truth even when it’s hard, and put the mission as in serving their constituents above personal or party gain. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? To represent the people honestly, advocate for their needs, and deliver tangible results. That means listening to all voices, working across party lines, and ensuring that federal resources come back to the district. It’s about service, not self-interest. What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy of meaningful change. Proof that principled leadership can still bring people together. I’ve often been told that one person can’t make a difference, but I believe history shows otherwise, and I intend to do my part to prove it again. I want to be remembered for helping reunite our communities, our country, and our allies around shared values and common purpose. At a time of serious challenges at home and abroad, I am ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with leaders to build a stronger, more secure, and more hopeful future for our country. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? The first major historical event I clearly remember was September 11, 2001. I was in high school watching the towers fall, and I remember the shock and the feeling that our country had changed in an instant. That day stayed with me. I knew I wanted to serve my country. I joined the New York Army National Guard at 17 and never looked back. I’ve deployed multiple times to Kuwait, flown missions overseas, and later protected our airspace as an FAA air traffic controller. What is your favorite book? Why? My favorite book is Harry Potter because when the first book was released, I was the same age as Harry. It captured a sense of magic, friendship, and belonging, and showed how bonds forged through hardship can shape who we become. Beyond the fantasy, the story is about courage, loyalty, and standing up for what’s right even when it’s difficult, themes that stayed with me and continue to influence how I think about leadership, responsibility, and service. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? I’d choose Jean-Luc Picard because he represents the kind of leadership the world needs more of. Principled, calm under pressure, and guided by ethics rather than ego. Picard leads through diplomacy and reason first, understands the weight of command, and never forgets that power carries responsibility. He also embodies optimism about the future, including the idea that humanity can come together to explore beyond our planet, and being part of a future defined by space exploration, discovery, and peaceful cooperation would be an incredible and inspiring legacy to share in. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? One of the greatest struggles in my life has been balancing a deep commitment to service with the personal sacrifices that service requires. Whether in uniform, in high-stress public safety roles, or as a union leader, the responsibility to others often comes before personal comfort, time with family, or even certainty about the future. Learning how to carry that weight without becoming hardened or disconnected has been a constant challenge. That struggle has shaped my values, strengthened my resilience, and reinforced my belief that leadership is ultimately about service, accountability, and caring for the people who rely on you. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? I believe experience matters but not just political experience. Washington isn’t broken because there aren’t enough career politicians. It’s broken because too many people there have spent their entire careers inside the same system, building walls around the far left and the far right, while everyday Americans are stuck in the middle, unheard and unrepresented. I’m running for Congress because it’s time for a change. We need to tear down those walls and start building real solutions from the center out. I bring a different kind of experience rooted in service and results. In the military, I learned that mission comes first and teamwork is not optional. As a union president, I delivered outcomes by finding common ground and aligning interests. As a first responder, I showed up when people needed help, no politics, no posturing, just action. That is the kind of experience Washington needs right now. Not more insiders protecting the status quo, but leaders who know how to put people over politics and actually get things done. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Over the next decade, the United States’ greatest challenges will be restoring trust in our democratic institutions, strengthening economic security for working families, and navigating an increasingly unstable global environment. At home, rising costs, uneven growth driven by automation and globalization, and a housing and affordability crisis are straining the social contract and fueling polarization and disinformation that undermine confidence in government. At the same time, climate change and aging infrastructure pose real risks to public safety and economic competitiveness, while gaps in healthcare and workforce development threaten long-term resilience. Abroad, the U.S. must manage strategic competition with authoritarian powers, protect alliances, and defend democratic norms without drifting into reckless conflict or isolation. Meeting these challenges will require serious governance by investing in people, rebuilding institutions, upholding the rule of law, and leading with steadiness and credibility at home and abroad. Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? I met a veteran in Riverhead who told me he’d been waiting months for a VA appointment he desperately needed. I have a friend who is in treatment for pancreatic cancer who due to Nick LaLota’s vote, his insurance has gone up and he needs to decide between bankruptcy or affording the medication he needs to survive. I talk to students at Stony Brook University that have no other options than to move off of Long Island due to the cost of living. These are the conversations that motivate my run for congress. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Absolutely! Progress in a democracy depends on finding common ground. Compromise isn’t weakness, it’s leadership. The best solutions come from listening to different perspectives and crafting policies that serve the greater good, not just one side. As a union representative, I learned that the strongest negotiations happen when you connect the ask to shared interests. By demonstrating how our proposals benefited both sides, we were able to reach meaningful agreements. And in the cockpit of a helicopter, I’ve learned the same lesson: completing the mission requires coordination, trust, and compromise. You don’t get where you need to go unless everyone is aligned and working toward the same objective. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? 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. These powers should be focused on identifying waste, fraud, and abuse; enforcing compliance with existing laws; protecting civil liberties; and strengthening public trust by producing facts, not headlines. Effective investigations should be grounded in clear legislative purpose, respect due process, and lead to concrete reforms that improve governance, safeguard national security, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent as intended. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? 2024 Democratic nominee for congress, John Avlon, former New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Suffolk County Legislator Greg Doroski, Southampton Town Trustee Jimmy Mack, and Brookhaven Town Democratic Chair Anthony Portesy, What is an accomplishment that you are proud of? One accomplishment I’m especially proud of was serving as a safety officer within the Unified Command at the Javits Center during the COVID-19 response. In a high-pressure, rapidly evolving environment, I worked to ensure doctors, nurses, and support staff were protected by establishing and reinforcing best safety practices, redesigning the donning and doffing areas to streamline safe entry and exit from the hazard zone, and reducing unnecessary exposure risks. I coordinated closely with partners from multiple federal and state agencies to solve problems in real time, and I also created a dedicated break area for frontline personnel, which improved morale, reduced fatigue, and ultimately increased productivity. Knowing that my work helped keep people safe while they cared for others is something I carry with great pride.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]