Brandi Mandato
Brandi Mandato (Democratic Party, Working Families Party) ran for election to the Connecticut State Senate to represent District 34. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Mandato completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Brandi Mandato was born in New Haven, Connecticut. She graduated from Hamden High School. She attended that University of New Haven. Her career experience includes working as a public servant.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 34
Incumbent Paul Cicarella, Jr. defeated Brandi Mandato and David Bedell in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 34 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Paul Cicarella, Jr. (R / Independent Party) | 56.2 | 29,023 |
 | Brandi Mandato (D / Working Families Party)  | 42.9 | 22,126 | |
 | David Bedell (G) | 0.9 | 483 | |
| Total votes: 51,632 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Brandi Mandato advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 34.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Paul Cicarella, Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 34.
Endorsements
To view Mandato's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mandato in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Brandi Mandato completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mandato's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I have spent my entire adult life fighting for systemic change that upholds the values I was taught in Connecticut including equitable access to quality jobs and catalytic education (including apprenticeships, trade schools, and higher education), reproductive rights, poverty alleviation, equity and dignity, evidence-based public safety, and ending mass criminalization and incarceration.
My career spans more than 20 years in economic and workforce development fighting for workers and learners. My expertise lives at the intersection of government (all levels), our education and workforce systems, and the private sector. In 2013, my work designing initiatives for dislocated workers during the 2008 recession was recognized by the Obama Administration as a best practice and in 2021, before moving back home, I was recognized by City & State NY as one of the most impactful people driving Economic Development in New York.- Mental health is a priority for me, and I’m committed to breaking the stigma and providing support for all residents. As your State Senate candidate, I'll prioritize mental health services across populations, including children, veterans, parents, seniors, and trauma survivors. I'll work to address the mental health impacts of the COVID crisis and ensure that our schools have the resources they need to support students' mental health. Additionally, I'll focus on education equity, including universal Pre-K, equitable school funding, and closing the digital divide to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
- I’m committed to boosting economic growth and creating jobs in District 34 and throughout Connecticut. As your State Senate candidate, I’m focused on workforce development initiatives that connect businesses with skilled talent. My approach includes fostering partnerships with industries, promoting apprenticeships, and ensuring affordable childcare for working families. I support skills-based hiring to match job seekers with the needs of businesses, and we're dedicated to investing in high-growth sectors like AI to secure the jobs of tomorrow.
- My priority is keeping our communities safe in District 34 and across Connecticut. I believe in evidence-based strategies that address the root causes of crime and promote prevention. As your State Senate candidate, I will advocate for appropriate staffing models that prioritize public health workers, education, and social services. I’ll invest in community development initiatives and youth employment programs to provide opportunities and support for our residents.
Sierra Club
Young Democrats of CT
CT STATE BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL
AFL-CIO
CWA Local 1298
Unlock Higher Education
Reproductive Equity Now
Operating Engineers Continuing Political Committee, Local 478
Mental Health Now
CT Against Gun Violence
CSU-AAUP
Working Families Party
Planned Parenthood
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 23, 2024
