Cassandra Martineau

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Cassandra Martineau

Independent

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of Connecticut, 1992

Graduate

Eastern Connecticut State University, 2013

Personal

Birthplace

Willimantic, Conn.

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal website

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Cassandra Martineau (independent) ran for election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. She lost as a write-in in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Biography

Martineau was born in Willimantic, Connecticut. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut in 1992 and a master's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2013. Her career experience includes working in a group home serving adults with disabilities. She is also a state leader for the Women's March on Washington, a state leader/educator on LGBTQ issues, and a local leader in the NAACP.

Martineau has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• Green Party
• Women's March on Washington
• NAACP
• BLM
• Eastern Connecticut Green Action
• Stonewall Speakers
• Democratic Socialists

Elections

2022

See also: Connecticut gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Incumbent Susan Bysiewicz defeated Laura Devlin, Stewart Beckett, and Cassandra Martineau in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susan Bysiewicz (D / Working Families Party / Griebel Frank for CT Party)	56.0	710,186
		Laura Devlin (R)	43.0	546,209
		Stewart Beckett (Independent Party)	1.0	12,400
		Cassandra Martineau (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	98

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,268,893
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Susan Bysiewicz advanced from the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Laura Devlin advanced from the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.

2020

See also: Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020

Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (August 11 Republican primary)

Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (August 11 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Connecticut District 2

Incumbent Joe Courtney defeated Justin Anderson, Cassandra Martineau, and Daniel Reale in the general election for U.S. House Connecticut District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joe Courtney (D / Working Families Party)	59.4	217,982
		Justin Anderson (R)	38.2	140,340
		Cassandra Martineau (G)	1.3	4,949
		Daniel Reale (L)	1.1	3,901
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	9

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 367,181
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Joe Courtney advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 2.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 2

Justin Anderson defeated Thomas Gilmer (Unofficially withdrew) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Connecticut District 2 on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Justin Anderson	50.2	9,485
		Thomas Gilmer (Unofficially withdrew)	49.8	9,407

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,892
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Cassandra Martineau did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Cassandra Martineau completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Martineau's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A lifelong activist, executive officer in Windham/Willimantic NAACP, advocate and educator for trans rights. I am the only candidate in my race fighting for Medicare4All Now, not incrementally, Green New Deal with local control/implementation with the goal of zero carbon emissions, and an end to Wall Street influence/mitigation of income inequality. These three issues affect every day living, yet are not being discussed by corporate candidates, never mind prioritized. We need real change, not more fear-mongering.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Medicare for All, now, not incrementally. Profit-driven health care is killing us and bankrupting us.
• Green New Deal with local control/implementation. Address climate catastrophe in a way which empowers communities and creates local jobs.
• Wall Street out of Washington. No corporate candidate will ever bring about the real changes needed.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Wall Street control of politics/"market-based solutions"/"Third Way Democrats" have corrupted politics to the point where profit of a few always takes priority over the needs of the many. This is but corruption made legal, and it's killing us. Until we have candidates free of corporate money, we will have an economy which benefits submarines and profit-driven health care. Only non-corporate candidates will be able to challenge the single-minded spending priorities of submarines vs. public education, real health care change in times of pandemic, and income inequality. Economic recovery should be more than handouts to billionaires and mega-corporations. Any real economic recovery begins with working folks, not millionaires. I will prioritize the needs of working families over corporations. No other candidate in my district is doing so, and this is essential for the real changes we need.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Change makers and truth tellers, such as Bree Newsome, Noam Chompsky, AOC, Greta Thunburg. We have issues with racism, police brutality, deregulated Wall Street, health care, climate catastrophe and income inequality which "neither" party is addressing, while Democrats and Republicans both favor big corporations over the needs of everyday citizens. "Neither" party offers much other than fear-mongering of the other. It's time for real change and real solutions that put power back in the hands of the 99%, not the wealthy. I admire everyone challenging this power, be it less known individuals in town, or national leaders promoting real change. I support movements more than people: Sunrise Movement, BLM, Occupy Wall Street. It's time for real change, not just rhetoric. I am the only candidate in my race offering this change.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

My faith is in movements more than individuals. Occupy Wall Street, BLM, the Sunrise Movement and others fighting for real change are movements I respect, and work for. Anyone making a stand against creeping authoritarianism/surveillance of private citizens, anyone fighting for Medicare4All, anyone fighting for racial or gender equality.

I am a leader in the state WMW, in our local NAACP chapter, and statewide on LGBTQ issues. I consistently stand with/for/pass the microphone to those whose voices are forgotten or drowned out in the halls of power.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

There can never be any honesty in politics while corporations vet the candidates. Any candidate MUST free themselves of corporate donations if they are to be honest in addressing today's problems in a way that benefits the majority of citizens above corporate bottom lines.

Until we have candidates free from corporations, we will never have candidates that represent us.

This is not a "purity test." It is essential.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am passionate and relentless in fighting for those left behind in our corporate economy. Black people and other people of color, LGBTQ people, immigrants, and the working poor are systemically denied the power and access available to others with more resources. I am dedicated to changing this. I believe in multiple voices, multiple viewpoints, and as much personal power to individuals as is possible.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The U.S. has been veering towards greater authoritarianism, and greater corporate control of everything.

We need representatives who stand courageously up to corporate power, who stand courageously to unending wars and runaway military spending, who stand courageously to address climate change, who stand courageously for the lives of those forgotten in our billionaire's economy.

The core responsibility is, and always has been, to the residents of the U.S., one which has been sadly neglected by both major parties.

I will be responsible to the residents of the 2nd District, not just submarine bases and pharmaceutical companies.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Real change is both necessary and possible. It will take courage and work - no one will save us but ourselves. It will take a real challenge to the powers that limit us for the benefit of the few.

My agenda is the people's agenda: health care, climate change and income inequality are issues average people of both parties - and no party - want, but are not being addressed.

If we come together in purpose and courage, change is possible. It's time for working class people, people left out of power, once again stand up together. Alone, we have no power.

Together, we are mighty.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Moon Landing. I was about three at the time. The U.S. is an amazing and powerful nation, despite its flaws. When we come together, and work for each other, rather than corporate profits, we can do amazing things.

I would love to see the energy and focus the government put into space exploration in the 60s and 70s to be directed towards a carbon-free energy grid, empowerment of communities over corporations, to work for equity and respect for all people, regardless of heritage, race, religion, or being LGBTQ, to addressing income inequality, to ending corporate control of Congress.

We can do this. It requires courage and work, but we can raise our standard of living, rather than quarterly profits.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

In high school, I formed a D&D group which became too large to meet in people's homes. I worked with the local Parks and Recreation department to arrange use for public facilities for our 20-30 member group to meet weekly. When P&R came to respect my responsibilities for the facilities, they hired me to open and close, maintain the building for other groups after hours. I worked there for a few years while I attended high school.

I firmly believe public property should be for public use. Recently, in Willimantic, I made a public stand against having our library community room requiring a fee to use, arguing that public space should be for the public. Officials complained, but the change was made. I stand up with those who aren't rich and powerful, but still deserve fair access to public facilities.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"How to be an Anti-Racist," by Ibram X. Kendi. In it, and in his powerful talks, he outlines many of the internalized prejudices many white, and Black people in the U.S. have adapted, how to see, and how to overcome them.

Racism is the original sin of the U.S., created to "justify" the enslavement of Black people and their continued disempowerment. We must all confront internalized racism or colonialism, and continually engage in issues of race in this country. We have much critical work to do in the U.S. regarding race, and only by being actively anti-racist can we affect change.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Honestly, I look more to fighters and change-makers from the past, than I do in fiction. Women like Harriet Tubman, Sylvia Rivera and Maxine Waters are my heroes, people who stood, and stand, fiercely against oppression.

In fiction, I appreciate strong women characters and realistically portrayed LGBTQ characters. Real, developed characters, not just stereotypes.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Buffy Sainte-Marie. A chilling reminder of the injustices perpetrated against the Native populations in the U.S. by our government.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have personally struggled with the prejudice against trans people, both before I was out, and after I transitioned. Living out as a transwoman leaves me vulnerable to all kinds of prejudice.

Living out and openly as a transwoman, facing those difficulties and standing up to them with courage has made me a leader and a role model.

I will take the harder path, if it means I make a difference.

I would like to make a difference for 2nd District.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Many districts have been jury rigged to be "safely" Democratic or Republican, a process which, in effect, leaves most voters with very little real choice. Government should be run by citizens, not parties, regardless of the party.

Oftentimes, poorer citizens and Black citizens are disempowered by current districting policies, while the two main parties happily maintain their gridlock on the system.

Districts should be fairly balanced between competing interests, and should be done with a mind to actually empowering the most people, not the parties.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The House of Representatives is responsible for our spending priorities. Prioritizing the corporate donors with deep pockets has led to a body which is ineffective in addressing health care, the climate, and income inequality. These are issues which most people, regardless of party want addressed, but which no candidate WILL address, as doing so in a real way would require challenging corporate power and profits, something no candidate beholden to corporate money will have the power to do.

Our budgets should prioritize supporting communities through increased funding for education, infrastructure, and carbon-free energy solutions, locally controlled, rather than submarines and tax breaks for billionaires.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Politics is a messy business of competing interests and powers. Understanding this is essential to good governance. Career politicians are their own danger, likely more dedicated to the corporate donors who keep them in office than their own constituents, but some experience with the system is needed to be effective.

I have years of experience working as an activist on local, state, and national issues, as well as experience in office.

It's time to stop begging career politicians for favors which must be vetted by their corporate owners. It's time for real change.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Climate catastrophe is leaving us with several "100-year storms" every year, a West Coast burning so violently that the smog reaches Connecticut, and unpredictable patterns of rain. If we do not make significant changes to our carbon-based energy economy, drastic changes, and immediate, we will continue to pay the price for decades to come. Scientists are warning us of the coming collapse of civilization, perhaps even a world uninhabitable by humans by the end of the century, and yet corporate candidates continue to confront climate change in a meaningful way.

Our children's future matters much more to me than corporate quarterly reports. It's well past time for real change.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would like to be on the Energy and Commerce Committee, so I can add my voice to creating a carbon-free future.

Military spending is excessive and takes money from projects that affect daily lives. I would be a voice of reason on the Armed Services Committee, not imperialism on this committee.

Having influence on the Education and Labor Committee will help promote issues that affect everyday lives of the residents of 2nd District.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes. The House of Representatives was originally created to give voice to the non-elite leaders in the colonies. This voice should be these voices, changed frequently to cultivate a diversity of voices and viewpoints. This is the essence of democracy.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

See above. Term limits are necessary to break the gridlock of career politicians with lifelong relationships with corporate lobbyists. Representatives should be truly of the people to promote democracy.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

The Green Party currently has no representatives in national government. The first person to break this barrier will signal real change in how government is run. It's important to show the country that change is possible, that we can have power if we join together. I would direct my focus to the 40% of voters who stay home on election day, knowing that neither Democrats or Republicans offer little beyond corporate control.

Electing Greens will be part of a necessary political revolution, bringing power to the people, not the corps. I would use this position to inspire others around the country to fight for change.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has shown great leadership in addressing issues which have been under-represented by both parties. I admire her leadership and her intelligent, on-point criticisms of the system, and the changes she represents.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

As an executive officer of Windham/Willimantic NAACP, I have heard many, many stories of individuals surviving lynching attacks here in Connecticut, people having their homes set on fire because of racial tensions, the crack in the voice of every strong, loving mother as she speaks of her sons walking in the world as Black or Hispanic, of police harassment, and many other injustices. I am dedicated to raising and empowering Black voices and to the progressive agenda of the NAACP.

As a transwoman, activist and educator, I constantly experience and hear about others who are being limited in voice, in employment, in trying to live a normal life, all in a state with legal protections.

I am dedicated to uplifting unheard voices. I am dedicated to those who are kept from power and equality in so many ways, directly and systematically.

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.

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Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

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