Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, a significant Democratic donor and philanthropist, is reportedly hosting a fundraiser for Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for New York governor and the current Nassau County executive. Lautenberg, the widow of former New Jersey Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, confirmed the event to The Post.
The development has become a notable topic of discussion within Democratic circles, with one unnamed Democrat describing it as "the talk of the Hamptons" and "a good get for Bruce."
Lautenberg, 79, had previously contributed $1,000 to Gov. Kathy Hochul's re-election campaign in July 2025. Her engagement with Blakeman's campaign marks a departure from her consistent financial support for Democratic candidates and causes over the past decade. Federal filings indicate that Lautenberg has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to various Democratic campaigns and committees, including those of Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Senators Cory Booker, Mark Kelly, and Jon Ossoff, as well as representatives and congressional candidates.
Lautenberg described Blakeman as "a longtime friend and neighbor" and "a great guy," offering little further comment on her decision to host the fundraiser. Her artwork is held in the collection of the Library of Congress.