A longtime Democratic donor who has contributed money to some of the party’s biggest names is now helping Republican Bruce Blakeman raise money in his campaign to defeat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The unexpected crossover comes as Blakeman attempts to make the New York governor’s race increasingly competitive — and as President Donald Trump throws his support behind the Republican challenger.
Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, a prominent philanthropist and professional photographer, confirmed that she is holding a fundraiser for Blakeman, the Nassau County executive seeking to defeat Hochul in November.
The development is particularly noteworthy because Lautenberg has a long history of financially supporting Democrats, including Hochul herself.
“It’s true,” Lautenberg told the New York Post.
She explained that her decision was rooted in a longstanding personal relationship with Blakeman, calling him a longtime friend and neighbor.
The political significance, however, goes well beyond one friendship.
Major Democratic Donor Crosses Party Lines
Lautenberg, 79, is the widow of the late Democratic New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
Campaign-finance records show that she contributed $1,000 to Hochul’s reelection campaign in July 2025.
Her Democratic connections go much deeper.
Federal campaign records reviewed by the Post show a Bonnie Lautenberg contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates and political causes over the past decade.
Recipients have included Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton, as well as Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Mark Kelly of Arizona and Jon Ossoff of Georgia.
That history makes her decision to raise money for a Republican candidate especially unusual.
One Democratic source told the Post that Lautenberg’s support for Blakeman had quickly become a major topic of political conversation in the Hamptons.
For Blakeman, winning the support of someone with deep ties to Democratic fundraising circles gives his campaign another argument that his message may be reaching beyond traditional Republican voters.
Trump Backs Blakeman Against Hochul
President Trump has also emerged as a prominent supporter of Blakeman.
Trump recently praised the Republican during an appearance in Nassau County while sharply criticizing Hochul and Democratic leadership in New York.
That gives the governor’s race a national political dimension.
Blakeman is attempting to capitalize on voter concerns surrounding taxes, affordability, crime, housing and the overall direction of New York.
Those issues could prove especially important among suburban homeowners, working families, retirees and voters who believe the cost of living in New York has become increasingly difficult to manage.
New Poll Gives Republicans Reason for Optimism
Hochul remains ahead, but recent polling suggests the race deserves attention.
A Siena University poll of likely New York voters released in August showed Hochul receiving 49% support compared with 39% for Blakeman.
That gives the Democratic governor a 10-point advantage.
While a 10-point deficit remains significant, the same poll showed a substantial improvement for Blakeman compared with Siena’s June survey of registered voters, when Hochul led 52% to 32%.
There was another potentially encouraging number for Republicans.
Blakeman led Hochul among suburban voters in the August survey, 49% to 41%.
Hochul’s greatest advantage remained New York City, where she held a commanding lead.
The geographic split illustrates the challenge facing both campaigns: Blakeman needs to run up his margins outside New York City while finding enough additional votes inside the five boroughs to overcome the Democrats’ traditional statewide advantage.
Blakeman Targets Taxes, Crime and Affordability
Blakeman has centered much of his campaign around issues Republicans believe can attract independents and moderate Democrats.
His agenda includes reducing taxes, strengthening public safety, defending private-property rights and expanding economic opportunities.
He has also introduced a “Protect the New York Dream” agenda focused on homeownership, merit-based education, jobs and opposition to policies he argues make New York less affordable.
The message is designed to appeal directly to New Yorkers who have watched housing costs, taxes and everyday expenses put pressure on household budgets.
For voters over 50, those economic questions can carry additional importance as retirement savings, property taxes, fixed incomes and the ability of children and grandchildren to remain in New York become major considerations.
Blakeman Wins Campaign-Finance Battle
Blakeman has also scored an important legal victory involving New York’s public campaign-finance system.
The Republican had initially been blocked from potentially receiving millions of dollars in public matching funds.
But a state judge overturned that decision, finding problems with how new joint-ticket filing requirements had been handled.
The ruling opened a path for Blakeman to potentially receive millions in matching funds, giving his campaign additional resources for advertising, voter outreach and other expenses.
Fundraising remains particularly important because defeating an incumbent governor in a heavily Democratic state requires a substantial campaign operation.
Hochul continues to enjoy major financial and organizational advantages, meaning Blakeman will need considerable resources to remain competitive through Election Day.
Why Lautenberg’s Decision Matters
Lautenberg’s fundraiser does not mean Democratic donors are abandoning Hochul in large numbers.
Her friendship with Blakeman also provides an important personal explanation for her decision.
But politics is often about momentum and perception.
For a Republican attempting to win statewide office in New York, attracting financial support from someone with a long record of donating to prominent Democrats is valuable.
It allows Blakeman to argue that his campaign isn’t limited to loyal Republican voters.
The question now is whether that crossover appeal extends beyond a handful of wealthy donors and into the broader electorate.
Could New York Actually Turn Republican?
History shows how difficult Blakeman’s challenge will be.
New York has not elected a Republican governor since George Pataki won his third term in 2002.
Democrats also maintain significant structural advantages in statewide elections, particularly because of their strength in New York City.
Hochul therefore remains in the stronger position.
But New York Republicans have shown they can make statewide races closer than expected.
In 2022, Republican Lee Zeldin came within roughly six percentage points of defeating Hochul after campaigning heavily on crime, taxes and the cost of living.
Blakeman appears to be pursuing a similar path while emphasizing his record as Nassau County executive and his relationship with Trump.
The latest Siena numbers suggest he still has considerable ground to make up.
But with Lautenberg now helping raise money for his campaign, Republicans have gained an eye-catching example of a longtime Democratic supporter willing to cross party lines.
Whether it becomes an isolated endorsement or an early sign of broader dissatisfaction among some Democratic and independent voters could become an important question as New York heads toward Election Day.