A prominent Democratic donor who previously contributed to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s campaign is now raising funds for her Republican opponent Bruce Blakeman in New York’s gubernatorial race, The Post has learned.
Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, a professional photographer and philanthropist — and the wife of late New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg — will be holding a fundraiser for Blakeman’s campaign, she confirmed Monday.
“It’s the talk of the Hamptons,” said one Democrat who expressed surprise. “It’s a good get for Bruce.”
Lautenberg, 79, donated $1,000 to Democratic incumbent Hochul’s re-election campaign in July 2025.
Lautenberg, whose artwork appears in the Library of Congress, confirmed she’s holding a fundraiser for the Nassau County executive, but said little more.
“It’s true,” Lautenberg told The Post.
“Bruce is a longtime friend and neighbor. He’s a great guy.”
She had no further comment.
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.
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