Democratic candidate Chris Gallant says he won’t let BDSM model photos drive him out the race
“I won’t allow my private life to be distorted and weaponised against me," says Gallant
By Aaron Sugg
US congressional candidate and Democrat Chris Gallant has said he won’t let resurfaced BDSM modelling photos drive him out of the race.
According to the New York Post, Gallant appeared in promotional photos for bondage gear company Mr S Leather, taken between 2011 and 2020.
The photos resurfaced after the 37-year-old, who is gay, won the Democratic primary in June. He is challenging Republican incumbent Nick LaLota for New York’s First Congressional District in November.
Chris Gallant’s BDSM modelling photos have been confirmed by his attorney
Gallant has claimed the photos are part of a “coordinated political hit” intended to drive him out of the race.
His attorney has confirmed that the photographs are genuine, but said they were taken during a private photoshoot involving Gallant and his then-partner, with the couple’s relationship lasting four years.
“Chris was also friends with the owner of Mr. S Leather, and the shoot was intended to be fun and personal, with the understanding that Mr. S could use select images in connection with certain products,” his attorney continued.
Gallant claims the resurfaced images are “coordinated”
Gallant has now spoken out on social media, saying he won’t allow the resurfaced images to force him out of the congressional race.
After claiming the resurfaced images were “coordinated” by his opponents, he added: “This represents everything that is wrong with our politics today.”
“An establishment is clinging to power, mud-slinging as a means of skirting accountability at the ballot box,” he claimed.
“I won’t be shamed into silence” – Gallant on the US congressional race
“I am very proud of who I am. And I won’t be shamed into silence,” said Gallant. “I won’t allow my private life to be distorted and weaponised against me.”
He said he won’t allow the raunchy pictures from his past to “scare” him out of the race. “So hear me when I say this, I’m in this to win,” he stated, with no intention of backing down.
Gallant lives in Amity Harbor with his fiancée and was born and raised on Long Island. Gallant has said he has been openly gay in the military since shortly after the end of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and has been fighting for the country since he was 17.
His campaign focuses on issues including the cost of living, healthcare, infrastructure, veterans and public safety.