Ex-San Diego Politico Peter Navarro Set to Speak at GOP Convention, Get Married

Hours after he’s released from prison Wednesday, former San Diego office-seeker Peter Navarro is expected to speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

The Associated Press reported that news Friday, citing two people who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Not mentioned in Jill Colvin’s AP report: Navarro is engaged to a woman named Bonnie.

“Thanks for having me on,” Bonnie told fellow Donald Trump acolyte Steve Bannon on his “War Room” podcast a month ago. “It’s like the first biggest smile I’ve had in a long time.”

(In November 2018, Navarro was sued for divorce by his wife of 20 years, architect Leslie LeBon. The dissolution became effective Dec. 31, 2020.)

A short, blond woman, Bonnie — whose last name wasn’t immediately available — has been engaged to the former Trump trade adviser for a year, she said.

She said they’ve been “a little quiet about that” but plan a wedding after the presidential campaign.

“Will you share him with the nation?” Bannon asked on his show, only weeks before he reported to a Connecticut prison to serve a four-month sentence.

He and Navarro — who turns 75 on Monday — were convicted for not complying with subpoenas issued by the Jan. 6 House Select Committee.

Friday morning, Bannon associate Jayne Zirkle referred on X to Navarro’s “Wife Bonnie.” But Navarro hasn’t mentioned getting married in a Miami federal prison, where he’s been since March.

Speaking on Friday to Rep. Matt Gaetz (a fill-in for Bannon), Bonnie said: “We’re really excited … so we can hold each other and hug each other again. … I felt like I’ve been in prison just as he is. … So it’s been really really one of the most challenging times in my life.”

Bonnie told Bannon that she sees Navarro on weekends, and that her heart breaks.

“Peter and I did everything together,” she said. “He can call me …[but is] restricted. … Love conquers all.”

She also said: “People say I’ve softened him. … He doesn’t let me cry enough,” but tells her: “Bonnie, I got this. We’re going to get this. When he gets out, we’ll both be stronger.”

Bannon mentioned Navarro’s latest book, “The New Maga Deal: The Unofficial Deplorables Guide to Donald Trump’s 2024 Policy Platform,” to be launched at the GOP convention this coming week.

Somewhat in jest, Bonnie said the book “almost broke us up.”

She also revealed that Navarro eats the same thing for every meal (not specifying what). But she vowed to take him out to restaurants to expand his tastes.

“I know my limits — on what he’ll eat,” Bonnie said.

Navarro said in media interviews that he helped coordinate an effort by congressional Republicans to halt certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the Nov. 3, 2020, election and keep Trump, a Republican, in power.

In mid-March, The U.S. Supreme Court denied Navarro’s request to avoid prison while he appeals his contempt of Congress conviction.

Navarro ran for office five times — as a Democrat. In 1992, he lost a runoff race to Susan Golding for San Diego mayor. He followed with failed runs at San Diego City Council, county Board of Supervisors and (in 1996) the 49th Congressional District.

His last race, in 2001, was a special election loss to fill the District 6 San Diego City Council seat and went on to become an economics professor at UC Irvine.

Now he’s expected to campaign for prison reform.

Bonnie said his mantra is “tough on crime but smart on crime.”