Knicks owner, who once supported Democrat Gov Hochul, now biggest GOP donor in New York

James Dolan – owner of the New York Knicks and Rangers and Madison Square Garden in which they play – donated $1.4 million this year to committees supporting Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee running against Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul. 

In the past, he gave $2 million to Madison Square Garden's super PAC, which has historically supported moderate Democrats, including Hochul. The super PAC began transferring money into a separate super PAC that was launched last year to support GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik’s brief campaign for governor, Politico reported. Now it's running ads in support of Blakeman. 

The funding comes as one of New York Republican's most prominent donors, billionaire cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder, ceased political giving. Lauder donated more than $11 million to boost then-GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin’s gubernatorial campaign four years ago.

A strong showing for Republicans in New York's governor's race against Hochul is needed to win several New York swing House seats that could potentially determine control of Congress.