Dem donor who backed Harris, Clinton now raises cash for GOP rival in a surprise switch
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The political ground of New York appears to be slipping from the Democrats' hands ahead of the gubernatorial race, as one of their longstanding donors has pulled back.
The 2026 New York gubernatorial election is scheduled for November to elect the governor of New York.
Republican Bruce Blakeman is challenging incumbent Democratic governor Kathy Hochul, who is running for re-election to a second full term.
"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...Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, a professional photographer and philanthropist — and the wife…
— Logan Ratick (@Logan_Ratick) August 17, 2026
Longtime Dem donor defects to Kathy Hochul's opponent
The New York Post reported Monday, August 17, that Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, who has raised money for Democratic leaders like Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton, has switched sides and is now raising funds for Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman, Gov Kathy Hochul's opponent.
Lautenberg, a professional photographer, philanthropist, and the wife of late New Jersey Democratic Sen Frank Lautenberg, had previously contributed to Gov Kathy Hochul’s campaign.
She will now be holding a fundraiser for Blakeman’s campaign, she confirmed to the New York Post.
“It’s the talk of the Hamptons,” said one Democrat who expressed surprise. “It’s a good get for Bruce.”
Lautenberg, whose artwork appears in the Library of Congress, said little more.
“It’s true,” Lautenberg told the NY Post. “Bruce is a longtime friend and neighbor. He’s a great guy.”
Federal filings show Bonnie Lautenberg has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic causes over the past decade, including campaigns for Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Cory Booker, Mark Kelly, Jon Ossoff, Laura Gillen and Robert Zimmerman.
She has also donated to Democratic Party state committees across the country.
NY governor candidates selected their running mates
New Yorkers are scheduled to cast their ballot on November 3 to elect their new governor.
The primary elections took place on June 23. The gubernatorial candidates selected their running mates, instead of having separate primaries.
Incumbent Hochul is scheduled to face Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican and Conservative nominee, in the general election.
Blakeman received Trump’s endorsement after US representative Elise Stefanik withdrew from the Republican primary in December 2025.
President Donald Trump on Friday declared that "nowhere is the communist attack on American society more clear than here in New York State," as he blamed Democratic Governor Hochul’s crime and immigration policies for putting residents at risk.
