2026 General Election Candidate Interview | U.S. Congress, District 1
Democratic Party
Christopher “Chris” Gallant, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in New York’s 1st Congressional District, joined Huntington Matters for an in-depth candidate interview on October 27 about his background, priorities and positions on issues affecting Town of Huntington residents.
Gallant discussed housing affordability, healthcare, Social Security, immigration, veterans’ services, public safety, national security, federal spending, infrastructure, environmental protection and election laws.
Huntington Matters asks candidates seeking the same office the same core questions about issues affecting Town of Huntington residents, with follow-up questions providing opportunities for more detailed discussion.
As Huntington Matters President June Margolin explains, “Our goal is to help Town of Huntington residents get to know your choices at the polls so you can vote with confidence for you and your family.”
▶️ WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW:
Military Service, Professional Background and Congressional Priorities
Gallant currently serves in the New York Army National Guard as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot and unit trainer, instructing fellow pilots in instrument and tactical flying. He also serves as his unit’s Equal Opportunity Representative.
Gallant joined the military at age 17 following the September 11 attacks. His service has included deployments to the Middle East in 2012 and 2022, along with assignments supporting COVID-19 emergency operations and presidential security missions.
He has also been a volunteer firefighter since his teenage years. His civilian career includes working as a Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller at several airports, including JFK, and serving as a union representative.
Gallant said frustration with political dysfunction motivated him to run for Congress. He described holding town halls throughout the district and developing a six-point mission plan outlining his priorities and measures of success.
He identified affordability, government accountability and preparedness for severe storms as major concerns for Long Island.
▶️ Watch: Background and priorities — 1:26
Cost of Living, Housing Affordability and Energy
Gallant discussed the difficulty young adults face finding affordable housing on Long Island.
“Our children don’t have the same opportunity that I might have had when I graduated college in 2014.”
He supported directing federal resources toward affordable housing construction while preserving local control over development decisions. He emphasized working with municipal officials from both political parties to identify communities seeking federal assistance.
Gallant also advocated holding corporations accountable for purchasing residential properties and contributing to higher housing prices.
Addressing gasoline, heating and utility costs, Gallant connected rising fuel prices to international conflicts and emphasized diplomacy as a way to reduce economic pressures.
For longer-term energy policy, he supported restoring federal incentives for residential solar installations, continuing offshore wind projects and encouraging electric vehicle use.
▶️ Watch: Cost of living and housing — 6:55
▶️ Watch: Energy costs and policy — 9:54
Healthcare Affordability and Reform
Gallant expressed concern about rising health insurance premiums, reduced federal healthcare subsidies and prescription drug costs.
Drawing on his father’s experience with cancer treatment, he described significant price differences between different dosages of the same medication. Discussing his preferred approach to healthcare reform, Gallant said:
“I’ve always been looking at trying to focus on a single payer system where every American could be entitled to health insurance while also at the same time having employer paid options.”
He described a hybrid approach that would expand access to coverage while preserving employer-sponsored insurance options. Gallant also emphasized the need for Democrats and Republicans to work together on legislation addressing both insurance affordability and the underlying cost of healthcare.
▶️ Watch: Healthcare costs and reform — 11:58
Social Security, Medicare and Veterans’ Services
Gallant opposed reducing Social Security benefits and proposed changing the earnings limit subject to Social Security payroll taxes.
“I think the easiest answer to making sure that Social Security can get funded […] would be to just raise the cap.”
He suggested substantially increasing or potentially eliminating the cap to strengthen the program’s finances.
The discussion also addressed Long Island’s large veteran population and the importance of the Northport VA Medical Center. Gallant identified staffing shortages, limited specialist availability and mental health services as areas requiring additional federal resources.
Drawing on his military experience, he emphasized the importance of timely access to healthcare professionals familiar with veterans’ needs, particularly those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.
▶️ Watch: Social Security — 14:43
▶️ Watch: Veterans’ healthcare and benefits — 18:40
Fentanyl, Drug Prevention and Public Safety
Asked about fentanyl and other dangerous drugs affecting Long Island communities, Gallant supported additional federal resources for law enforcement, prevention, treatment and mental healthcare.
He emphasized the need for more qualified healthcare professionals, including psychologists, nurses and specialists who treat substance use disorders.
Gallant also discussed his experiences as a volunteer firefighter working alongside local police and emergency responders. He expressed support for providing law enforcement with resources to combat fentanyl trafficking while strengthening treatment and recovery services.
▶️ Watch: Fentanyl and drug prevention — 16:07
Immigration Enforcement and Pathways to Citizenship
Gallant criticized current federal immigration enforcement practices, expressing concerns about due process, accountability and the treatment of individuals living in the United States.
Discussing potential reforms, he said: “We should find clear pathways to citizenship.”
He also advocated increasing staffing to process immigration cases more effectively.
Responding to a question submitted by a Huntington Matters community member, Gallant addressed the circumstances of an individual brought to the United States as a teenager who has since established a family and contributed to the community.
Gallant supported creating opportunities for longtime residents without criminal histories to pursue legal status rather than requiring them to leave their families with uncertain prospects of returning.
He distinguished those circumstances from cases involving individuals convicted of serious crimes.
▶️ Watch: Immigration enforcement — 21:08
▶️ Watch: Community-submitted immigration question — 22:51
National Security, Iran and Ukraine
Gallant discussed how his military deployments and work with international coalition partners have influenced his views on national security. He emphasized maintaining strong relationships with American allies and carefully considering the consequences of sending military personnel into combat.
Addressing the conflict involving Iran, Gallant agreed that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons but questioned the current military approach. He advocated diplomatic solutions, a carefully planned strategy for ending American involvement and stronger congressional oversight of military action.
Gallant argued that Congress must exercise its constitutional responsibilities rather than allowing the executive branch to make major decisions independently.
Regarding Ukraine, he said: “So Ukraine is probably the only war that I support.”
Gallant supports continued American assistance in defending the country against Russia’s invasion while pursuing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. He also acknowledged the importance of balancing international commitments with domestic spending priorities.
▶️ Watch: Military service and national security — 25:50
▶️ Watch: Iran and congressional war powers — 34:15
Long Island Infrastructure, Education and Coastal Protection
Gallant identified sewer infrastructure, coastal protection and storm preparedness as priorities for federal investment on Long Island.
He discussed federal funding for sewer projects, including improvements in Huntington Station, and advocated longer-lasting solutions to beach erosion and coastal flooding rather than relying exclusively on repeated sand replenishment.
On education, Gallant supported additional federal funding to help school districts meet federally mandated requirements, including services for students with disabilities, without placing additional pressure on local property taxpayers. He emphasized working with local elected officials to identify funding needs and support educational opportunities for young people.
▶️ Watch: Infrastructure and coastal protection — 28:13
▶️ Watch: Federal education funding — 30:12
Tariffs, Trade Policy and Congressional Authority
Gallant expressed concern about tariffs increasing the cost of imported goods and materials, including lumber and electronics. He argued that Congress should exercise greater authority over trade policy rather than allowing tariffs to be imposed primarily through executive action.
Gallant criticized trade disputes with Canada and emphasized the importance of evaluating tariffs through bipartisan congressional deliberations.
He also discussed the broader issue of executive orders, arguing that Congress has increasingly failed to fulfill its legislative responsibilities, allowing successive presidential administrations to rely more heavily on executive action.
▶️ Watch: Tariffs and trade policy — 31:33
Federal Spending, National Debt and Government Accountability
Gallant supported reducing unnecessary federal spending but argued that government reforms should be developed with experienced personnel who understand agency operations.
Discussing his objections to rapid staffing reductions and the approach taken by the Department of Government Efficiency, he said:
“You do it skillfully, and you do it with a scalpel, not a chainsaw.”
He advocated identifying inefficiencies through careful analysis rather than broad, immediate cuts.
Gallant also cited military procurement costs as an area where stronger oversight could reduce unnecessary spending and expressed concern about corporate influence over government contracts.
▶️ Watch: Federal spending and the national debt — 41:06
Drinking Water and Environmental Protection
Gallant discussed the importance of protecting Long Island’s drinking water, aquifers and coastal environment. He supported holding companies responsible for pollution accountable for cleanup costs and identified contamination associated with the Bethpage groundwater plume as an example of the challenges facing Long Island.
Gallant emphasized protecting drinking water supplies, addressing existing contamination and pursuing federal resources for environmental remediation.
▶️ Watch: Drinking water and pollution — 43:57
Voter Identification and Election Access
Asked whether voters should be required to present identification in federal elections, Gallant said he was not opposed to voter identification requirements in principle but believed access to the necessary documentation must be addressed first.
“Almost 15 million Americans don’t have access to documents required to get an ID.”
Gallant expressed concern that imposing new requirements before eligible voters can obtain identification could prevent some Americans from voting. He said he would be open to voter ID requirements once all eligible voters have access to the necessary documentation.
▶️ Watch: Voter identification — 45:14
Representing the District and Working Across Party Lines
Gallant closed by discussing how he intends to approach constituent relationships.
“People want someone who they can actually talk to.”
He said he would continue holding town halls and meeting residents face-to-face, emphasizing that a member of Congress should represent constituents regardless of political affiliation.
Gallant also expressed a desire to reduce partisan divisions and strengthen cooperation between Democrats and Republicans.
▶️ Watch: Gallant’s closing remarks — 48:13
Hear the Candidates. Know Your Choices.
These highlights represent only part of the conversation. Huntington Matters encourages residents to watch the full interview to hear each question, the candidate’s complete response and any follow-up discussion.
As Huntington Matters President June Margolin reminds viewers:
“An informed community is a stronger community. Get to know your candidates, make your voice heard, and get out and vote!”
Candidate: Chris Gallant
Office Sought: United States House of Representatives, New York’s 1st Congressional District
Ballot Lines: Democratic
Incumbent: NO
Campaign Website: GallantNY.com
Facebook: Gallant NY
Instagram: @_gallantny
X: @_gallantny
YouTube: @GallantNY
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Early Voting: October 24 – November 1, 2026
General Election Information | Early Voting Information | Voter Information
Prefer watching on Facebook? Watch Craig Herskowitz’s complete interview on the Huntington Matters Facebook page.
Watch more Huntington Matters Candidate Interviews: HuntingtonMatters.com
After November 4, 2026, find the Candidate Interviews: HuntingtonMatters.com/elections/ and on our Election Candidate Interviews and Events YouTube Podcast.
About Huntington Matters Candidate Interviews
Huntington Matters has conducted candidate interviews since 2015 to help Town of Huntington residents get to know their choices at the polls.
All candidates were invited to participate in the 2026 General Election Candidate Interview series. If an interview with a particular candidate is unavailable, the candidate either could not participate or did not accept the invitation.
Huntington Matters does not endorse any political party or candidate.
