NY Democratic Candidate Faces Scrutiny Over Resurfaced BDSM Photos

Chris Gallant, the Democratic nominee for New York's 1st Congressional District, is facing renewed scrutiny after explicit BDSM-themed photos from his past resurfaced online. Gallant, 37, is challenging Republican incumbent Nick LaLota in the November general election. The photographs, which show Gallant modeling leather collars, harnesses, and bondage gear, were used by San Francisco fetish retailer Mr. S Leather. Internet archives indicate the images were online between approximately 2011 and 2020. Gallant's attorney, Sara Azari, confirmed the photos are authentic. She stated they originated from a private, consensual photo shoot involving Gallant and a former partner. Azari said Gallant was friends with the owner of Mr. S Leather and agreed that select images could be used in connection with the company's products. "The photographs are authentic and were taken during a private, consensual photo session involving Chris and his then-partner, with whom he was in a committed four-year relationship," Azari said. According to Azari, Gallant later asked Mr. S Leather to remove the images as he began considering a career in public service, and the company complied.