Nick LaLota

LaLota graduated from St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington and earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 2000 [1, 2]. His appointment to the Naval Academy launched his service career. He later earned an MBA and a law degree from Hofstra University [3].

After the Naval Academy, LaLota served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of lieutenant and deploying overseas multiple times before leaving active service [2, 4]. His military service preceded his return to Long Island and his entry into local government.

Local government

Returning to Long Island, LaLota built a local-government career from 2008 to 2022 5. He was appointed and twice elected to the Amityville Board of Trustees, served as a commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections, and worked for a New York State Senate office 5,6. This period established his standing in Suffolk County Republican politics.

Chief of staff to the County Legislature

In 2022, LaLota served as chief of staff to the Suffolk County Legislature, helping oversee the county's multibillion-dollar budget and its services for roughly 1.5 million residents 7. The senior county role immediately preceded his run for Congress and showcased his governmental experience. It capped his local-government career.

Elected to Congress

LaLota ran for the U.S. House in New York's 1st District to succeed Lee Zeldin, who left to run for governor 8. He won a competitive Republican primary over Michelle Bond and Anthony Figliola and defeated Democrat Bridget Fleming in the general election, taking office in January 2023 9,8. The win sent him to Washington representing a swing district. His campaigns are detailed in the campaigns section of this series.

First-term committees and the Santos expulsion

In his first term, LaLota served on the Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Small Business committees, and he opened his district office in Hauppauge 10,11. He became a leading voice among New York Republicans pushing to expel fellow New Yorker George Santos, voting to refer Santos to the Ethics Committee and supporting his expulsion in December 2023 12,13. He also introduced SALT-relief legislation and supported border-security measures 14,15. These actions are detailed in the legislative section of this series.

Re-election

LaLota won re-election in 2024, defeating Democratic challenger John Avlon, a former CNN commentator, in a closely watched race in his competitive district 16. He won by a margin similar to his first race, holding the seat for Republicans. The campaign is detailed in the campaigns section of this series.

Appropriations and SALT leadership

In the 119th Congress, LaLota secured a seat on the powerful Appropriations Committee, having argued that New York was the largest state without a Republican appropriator, and continued on Small Business 17. He intensified his advocacy for SALT relief, leading press events, meeting President Trump at Mar-a-Lago in January 2025 on SALT and congestion pricing, and pressing for a higher SALT cap in the 2025 budget reconciliation package 18,19. He also voted for measures including the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and a forestry bill with a provision addressing a pest infestation in Long Island's Pine Barrens 20. His SALT leadership became a defining feature of his second term.

Seeking re-election

LaLota declared his candidacy for re-election in 2026 in his competitive district, one of a handful of New York seats seen as pivotal to control of the House 21. As of the latest verified information, he continues to represent New York's 1st District. His re-election bid is detailed in the campaigns section of this series.

U.S. Navy: Surface Warfare Officer, rank of lieutenant.

Amityville Board of Trustees; commissioner, Suffolk County Board of Elections; chief of staff, Suffolk County Legislature (2022).

U.S. House of Representatives (NY-1): January 2023 to present (re-elected 2024).

Committees: Armed Services, Homeland Security, Small Business (first term); Appropriations and Small Business (119th Congress).