A well-known Democratic donor who once gave to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign is now helping raise money for Hochul’s Republican rival, Bruce Blakeman, in the New York governor’s race, The Post has learned.
Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, a professional photographer, philanthropist and widow of the late New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, confirmed Monday that she plans to host a fundraiser for Blakeman’s campaign.
“It’s the talk of the Hamptons,” one surprised Democrat said of the move. “It’s a good get for Bruce.”
Lautenberg, 79, contributed $1,000 in July 2025 to Hochul’s re-election campaign, supporting the Democratic incumbent before shifting her fundraising efforts toward Blakeman, the Nassau County executive.
Lautenberg, whose artwork is featured in the Library of Congress, acknowledged that she is organizing the fundraiser for the Republican candidate but offered few additional details.
“It’s true,” Lautenberg told The Post.
“Bruce is a longtime friend and neighbor. He’s a great guy.”
She declined to comment further.
A review of federal filings shows a Bonnie Lautenberg giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic causes over the past decade — including donations to campaigns for Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, Long Island Rep. Laura Gillen and Democratic congressional candidate Robert Zimmerman, as well as Democratic Party state committees across the country.
