Chris Gallant confirmed photos showing him in bondage gear and in explicit, consensual scenes have resurfaced as he campaigns in Long Island’s 1st Congressional District, his attorney and local reporting show.
Newsday reported the Democratic candidate and Army National Guard helicopter pilot said in a text to supporters, “Yeah, that’s me,” and that he is “not embarrassed or ashamed.” The reporting cites an email statement from Gallant’s attorney, Sara Azari, who acknowledged “the photographs are authentic and were taken during a private, consensual photo session involving Chris and his then-partner.” (Newsday)
The New York Post published archived images it says were connected to Mr. S Leather, a San Francisco retailer that has sold bondage and BDSM gear since the 1970s, and reported that some of the pictures were online between about 2011 and 2020. Azari told outlets that Gallant had asked the company to stop using the photos as he considered a future in public service and that the company honored that request. (New York Post)
Gallant is the Democratic nominee who in June won his party’s primary to challenge Republican Rep. Nick LaLota in a district nonpartisan handicappers view as leaning Republican. Newsday noted the DCCC had no immediate comment and that the Suffolk County Democratic chairman publicly backed Gallant. (Newsday)
The photos drew attention after they were unearthed by internet archives and unnamed tipsters, according to both outlets. Newsday said some images showed Gallant modeling black leather straps, collars and other fetish gear and that other photos depicted consensual acts with a then-partner; Newsday quoted Azari saying the session involved a committed four-year relationship. (Newsday)
Gallant’s campaign biography, also cited by Newsday and the Post, describes him as a National Guard Black Hawk pilot, a volunteer firefighter and a former FAA air traffic controller and union leader. His attorney told reporters the photographs have “no bearing on Chris’s record, qualifications, judgment or ability to serve.” (Newsday; New York Post)
How the imagery affects the race remains unclear. Newsday noted political handicappers still rate the district toward the incumbent and that momentum shifts are possible, while the Suffolk County Democratic Committee issued a statement backing Gallant. The reporting did not cite any formal investigation into Gallant’s service or security clearances tied to the photographs. (Newsday)
For readers tracking candidate conduct and online posts, this episode follows a recent string of local races where social-media material prompted party responses and withdrawals. See related coverage of other local candidates who lost backing over social posts and imagery in recent days.
Shelly Headen loses North Carolina Democratic backing and Stephen Woytek leaves Jon Husted campaign are recent examples of party actions after controversial posts.
Sources
- Newsday — reported Gallant confirmed the photos, quoted his attorney Sara Azari and provided local campaign context, including the DCCC response and Suffolk County Democrats’ backing.
- The New York Post — published archived images linked to Mr. S Leather, noted dates the images appeared online and described how facial-matching and archives tied the pictures to Gallant.
