Democrat Donor Breaks Ranks, Backs Blakeman as Hochul's Lead Shrinks

A longtime Democratic donor is now raising money for Kathy Hochul's Republican challenger, a defection that lands as new polling shows the New York governor's race tightening with fewer than three months to Election Day.

Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, widow of the late Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, has crossed party lines to support Republican Bruce Blakeman's bid to unseat Hochul, and will host a fundraiser for his campaign. One Democrat called the move "the talk of the Hamptons," adding "it's a good get for Bruce." Lautenberg, 79, had donated $1,000 to Hochul's campaign as recently as July 2025 as part of a long record of backing Democratic candidates.

The defection comes as Blakeman's campaign points to real movement in the numbers. A Siena University poll of likely voters, conducted Aug. 3–6, found:

• Hochul 49% — Blakeman 39%, a 10-point race
• Down from a 20-point Hochul lead among registered voters in June
• Blakeman +5 among independents, 45%-40%

The race for governor is heating up midway through August, alongside multiple congressional races in New York that could help determine control of the House. Pollster Steven Greenberg noted that four years ago, at this same point, Hochul led Lee Zeldin by 14 points before ultimately winning by six — a comparison Blakeman allies are highlighting as evidence the incumbent is more vulnerable than her advisers admit.

With Trump expected to campaign further alongside Blakeman on Long Island, the question now is whether a widening circle of crossover Democrats follows Lautenberg's lead.