Dem candidate blasts others over sex scandals while campaigning with convicted sex offender relative

A Democratic congressional candidate hoping to flip a Republican-held House seat in Western New York is facing uncomfortable questions after acknowledging that his registered sex offender brother-in-law was present at one of his campaign events.

Aaron Gies, a theology professor at St. Bonaventure University and the Democratic nominee challenging Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy in New York’s 23rd Congressional District, confirmed that his brother-in-law, Christopher Nathan White, attended and helped film a campaign “Polar Plunge” event last December. The revelation has sparked criticism because White is listed as a Level 2 sex offender in New York after serving prison time for convictions involving sexual offenses against teenage students while working as a teacher in North Carolina.

Upstate Democrat House candidate Aaron Gies has been out lecturing others about the Epstein files and assault scandals, yet he was campaigning alongside his brother-in-law a registered sex offender convicted of r*ping a minor student.
The offender even helped at a campaign… pic.twitter.com/kaB8XNo52p

— sandym (@Sandy1Texas) July 13, 2026

Gies acknowledged White’s presence but insisted he was not formally involved with the campaign.

“He was there,” Gies told reporters. “Chris is not part of my campaign.” Gies also argued that White had “done his time” and characterized the controversy as a distraction from the issues he wants to discuss with voters.

The story is drawing additional attention because of Gies’ own recent comments regarding alleged sexual misconduct by other political figures. According to reports, Gies had publicly criticized Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner over sexual assault allegations and accused Langworthy of blocking “accountability for people in the Epstein files.”

That sequence of events has handed Republicans an opportunity to argue that Gies is applying one standard to his political opponents and another to people within his own orbit.

Retired Marine Chris Hahn, who attended the campaign event with his teenage daughter, told reporters he was troubled after learning who had participated in filming the gathering.

“I was shocked to see someone like that would be on the campaign trail — brother-in-law or not,” Hahn said. “Do people who want to vote for Gies know this?”

Langworthy wasted little time responding.

“To bring a convicted sex offender and someone guilty of 2nd degree rape of a minor to campaign events is deeply, deeply disturbing and shows an alarming lack of judgment for any adult, let alone someone seeking public office,” the congressman said. “As members of Congress, we have an enormous responsibility to put in place laws that protect victims and children, not put them at risk.”

The controversy lands as Gies attempts to build momentum following a decisive Democratic primary victory. The first-time congressional candidate won more than 70 percent of the vote in June and has sought to present himself as a fresh alternative to Langworthy.

But the district remains one of the most Republican-leaning congressional seats in New York. State enrollment figures show Republicans significantly outnumber Democrats in the district, making any controversy especially difficult for a challenger trying to win over independents and moderate voters.

At the center of the debate is not whether Gies committed wrongdoing himself. No such allegation has been made. Rather, the issue is whether a congressional candidate who has made accountability and ethics part of his public message exercised sound judgment by allowing a registered sex offender relative to participate in a campaign-related event.

You know what always gets politicians into trouble?

It’s usually not the original mistake. It’s the sermon. Voters can smell hypocrisy from three counties away.

If you’re going to spend your week lecturing everyone else about the Epstein files, demanding accountability, questioning the character of political opponents and climbing onto the highest moral horse in the stable, you had better make absolutely sure nobody can look over your shoulder and find something awkward in your own backyard. That’s Politics 101.

Look, nobody is accusing Aaron Gies of committing a crime. That’s not the story. The story is judgment.

If you’re running for Congress and your campaign event includes someone who is listed on a sex offender registry for crimes involving minors, maybe — just maybe — somebody on the campaign team should raise a hand and say, “You know, this could become a problem.”

And let’s be honest. If the party labels were reversed, cable news would already be scheduling emergency panels, psychologists, historians, retired FBI agents and three people who once lived next door to somebody who knew a guy connected to the story.

The rule should be simple. Protect kids. Use common sense. Avoid unnecessary controversy. And if you’re going to throw stones at everybody else’s glass house, make sure yours isn’t hosting a video production crew.