Brandi Mandato

Brandi Mandato is the 2026 Democratic candidate for Connecticut's 34th Senate District, which encompasses Wallingford, North Haven, Durham, North Branford, and parts of East Haven. A North Haven resident, economic development professional, and community leader, Brandi is running for State Senate because she believes Connecticut works best when it works for all of us.

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Born and raised in Greater New Haven, Brandi is the granddaughter of Italian American immigrants and the oldest of eight children from a working-class family. She grew up watching the people she loves work hard to build stable, meaningful lives in Connecticut, and that experience has driven more than twenty years of work expanding access to jobs, education, and economic opportunity.

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Learn more and get involved at Brandi's official campaign website.

 

Background & Experience

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Brandi has spent her career at the intersection of government, education, workforce systems, and the private sector. Her work focuses on practical, evidence-based solutions that reduce poverty, create pathways to stability, and make communities stronger.

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Her initiatives supporting dislocated workers following the Great Recession were recognized by the Obama Administration as a national best practice. In 2021, City & State NY named her one of the most impactful leaders in economic development in the region. Today, she works directly with local, state, and federal policymakers to design and implement accountable policy solutions.

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Closer to home, Brandi currently serves as an Economic Development Commissioner and Constable in North Haven, roles that keep her grounded in the day-to-day realities of the community she is asking to represent. She is also a founding member of North Haven Pride, where she has helped build a coalition committed to making North Haven a more welcoming place for everyone.

 

 

Why She's Running

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Brandi didn't set out to run for office. But the 34th District, and this moment, feel personal.

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As a mom, wife, oldest daughter, and big sister, she believes District 34 deserves leadership that listens, leads with integrity, and fights for real accountability. Her husband Steve and their two daughters remind her every day why this work matters.

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She brings to this race something rare: deep policy expertise, hands-on government experience, and the perspective of someone who has always had to work for what she has. That combination is exactly what the 34th District needs in Hartford.

 

 

Campaign Priorities

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Brandi's platform is built around expanding opportunity and strengthening working families across the 34th District:

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Economic Opportunity & Workforce Development — Expanding access to quality jobs, apprenticeships, trade pathways, and higher education so every Connecticut resident can build a stable future.

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Education — Supporting strong public schools and workforce pipelines that prepare students for the economy of today and tomorrow.

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Affordability — Fighting for policies that make Connecticut more affordable for working families, seniors, and small businesses.

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Accountability in Government — Brandi believes government must be transparent, well-designed, and measurably accountable to the people it serves.

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Community & Inclusion — As a founding member of North Haven Pride and a lifelong community builder, Brandi is committed to a district where everyone belongs.

 

 

Get Involved

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• Sign up to volunteer and support Brandi's campaign across the 34th District

• Find voting information for North Haven residents, including registration and polling details

• Visit Brandi's official campaign website to donate and stay updated

• Meet our other 2026 candidate, Dr. Kathleen Kimball, running for Connecticut's 87th House District