New York Democratic congressional candidate Chris Gallant is leaning into the controversy surrounding leaked BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism) photos from his past modeling work, embracing it as his own “Kim Kardashian moment” rather than a political death sentence. The 37-year-old Black Hawk helicopter pilot and Army National Guard veteran is running to unseat Republican Representative Nick LaLota in New York’s First Congressional District covering eastern Long Island. Gallant made waves when the New York Post last month published archived images from 2010 depicting him in bondage gear for San Francisco brand Mr.
Gallant called the release a "coordinated political hit" in a statement made shortly after publication. "Let's be clear about what this is: a coordinated political hit meant to drive me out of this race," Gallant wrote on X last month. "This represents everything that is wrong with our politics today.
The establishment clinging to power, mudslinging as a means of skirting accountability at the ballot box." While tabloid scandals traditionally force candidates into hiding, Gallant responded by launching a social media ad campaign featuring the slogan "Make Politics Sexy Again." Newsweek has reached out to Gallant and LaLota for comment. Raised on Long Island, Gallant enlisted in the New York Army National Guard at age 17. He went on to become a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, completing two military deployments in Kuwait.
Beyond his military career, Gallant spent five years working as an air traffic controller at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He also serves as a volunteer firefighter and is an active union member and gun owner.
Gallant is engaged to Mike Ingram, a fellow National Guard infantryman whom Gallant met in Kuwait in 2022 and is currently stationed in the Middle East. He has spoken about being openly gay in the military shaping his approach to politics. "My fiancé and I both serve in the military, and we built our relationship through trust, timing, and a lot of miles between us.
I've been openly gay in the military since just after Don't Ask, Don't Tell ended, and I've learned to speak plainly, hold the line, and back up what I say," he said on his local candidates profile. He also explained how seeing Congress "do nothing" as he said President Donald Trump made "executive order after executive order that was completely unconstitutional... went against everything I fought for." "I couldn't sit around anymore and literally watch Congress not do their job," he said, adding that until then, he'd never considered a job in politics. "I have resigned from the F.A.A. as an aircraft controller, making a very good salary to make zero dollars, because I thought that this campaign, or running for Congress, was so important.
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