LaLota Seeks Third Term on SALT Relief and a 5-to-1 Cash Edge as Gallant Declines to Debate

Republican Rep. Nick LaLota heads into Tuesday’s election seeking a third term in New York’s 1st Congressional District with a wide fundraising lead over Democrat Chris Gallant and a closing message built on the restored state and local tax deduction, saying in an interview that he can “weather the storm” even if Democrats win the House.

LaLota had about $2.31 million in cash on hand as of Oct. 14, according to Federal Election Commission filings, compared with about $426,000 for Gallant. The district covers nearly all of Huntington and most of eastern Long Island.

The two-term incumbent is leaning on his role in the fight over SALT, the federal deduction for state and local taxes that was capped at $10,000 in 2017. The law LaLota and other high-tax-state Republicans pushed raises the cap to $40,000 through 2029 for families earning less than $500,000, a significant change for New York homeowners.

“I’m campaigning on paying less to DC and getting more back from DC,” LaLota said. He also points to federal money he has steered to Long Island, including $3.5 million for roadway repair and funding to protect Long Island Sound.

On immigration, LaLota has warned Long Island communities that he would withhold congressional earmarks from any that adopt “sanctuary” policies or limit cooperation with ICE. He has also signed onto the Dignity Act, which would offer some immigrants a path to legal work, though not citizenship, if they pay a fine, forgo welfare and meet other conditions. “This would not be a path to citizenship or voting. Immigration law should benefit Americans,” he said.

Gallant, a former air traffic controller and Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the Army National Guard, declined to debate in favor of voter forums. LaLota said he had accepted invitations from NewsdayTV and News12, and he wrote that Gallant “should be willing to answer questions about his calls to abolish the Electoral College, defund [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], and pack the Supreme Court.”

“I don’t think he’s a serious candidate,” LaLota said. “As others have said, not showing up for a debate suggests he isn’t serious. He’s good at pointing out problems but there’s no real depth for solutions.”

Gallant has argued that voters want something new. “People are looking for change. They’re so tired of the status quo of what’s going on in this country,” he said.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the seat to its “Districts in Play” list, but the Cook Political Report rated it solid Republican as of late September. LaLota, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said he has held more than 30 town halls and works across the aisle, including with neighboring Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi through the Problem Solvers Caucus.

“I have good relations on both side of the aisles, and I could weather the storm,” LaLota said of a possible Democratic majority.

Election Day is Nov. 3.