I’m writing today to enthusiastically endorse Brandi Mandato for State Senate in the 34th District, encompassing North Haven, Wallingford, East Haven, Durham, and North Branford. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside Brandi for several years. I know her to be an incredibly compassionate and dedicated public servant, willing to drop what she is doing at a moment’s notice to help a friend or a neighbor in need. I have no doubt she will be responsive and accountable to the needs of all the constituents in her district.

Most importantly, Brandi knows from lived experience that the working class can only succeed when they can afford to pay their bills, get the care they need, have reliable food and housing, feel secure in their employment, and have legal protections from exploitation and abuse. Having spent decades in the policy space working across the aisle at evidence-based solutions that improve lives, hold politicians accountable, and create economic opportunities for the most vulnerable, Brandi understands what long-term solutions actually work and which policies have been cynically constructed to enrich powerful lobbying interests and leave working people with spillover crumbs.

Anyone who has been following the scandals of current State Senator Paul Cicarella and what appear to be his attempts to profit off of broken systems and loopholes should be able to see this election as an easy choice. But Brandi is not just a convenient alternative; she’d be the best option for any race. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have world-class talent represent us at the local level. I hope you’ll join me in electing Brandi to do up in Hartford what she’s been doing locally and nationally her entire career, fighting for us.

Tim Gabriele

North Haven