Joe Gatto says he was put on this Earth to serve.
“I love to help people. I really do. I mean, I like to serve. My parents instilled that in me … I feel like serving people around me is what I’ve been put here to do,” Gatto told the Des Moines Register on Friday, Aug. 8, while sitting in one of the dining rooms at his restaurant, Baratta’s Restaurant and Catering, on Des Moines’ south side.
Gatto, a Democrat who’s served as the southeast side representative on the Des Moines City Council since 2014, said it’s that drive for service that is prompting him to run for a seat on the Polk County Board of Supervisors.
Gatto said he feels like he’s gotten a lot done for Des Moines, including advocating to get ambulances back in service and fixing streets and sidewalks.
But he said he’s ready to turn his attention to human services work, such as homelessness, mental health, and affordability. And he said the supervisor role at the county, a government body that helps distribute grants and funding, would allow him to be more effective in helping the most vulnerable community members he represents.
“When I see the type of resources they’ve got and how they can help … there should be no one hungry in this city,” Gatto said of the county. “There should be no one sleeping on the street. We’re too rich of a community to really allow that. We’ve got to help with some of the mental health illness, some of the addiction.”
Gatto’s announcement comes on the heels of longtime Polk County Supervisor Tom Hockensmith announcing he would not seek reelection when his term ends in 2026. Hockensmith told the Register in late July that he’s fed up with clashing personalities and policy choices on the board. The county has been the subject of several lawsuits filed by employees in recent years and is working under deep division with the election of two new supervisors last year.
Hockensmith, a Democrat, has served on the board since January 2003, representing the county’s 4th district, which includes east Des Moines, parts of southeast Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, Runnells, Camp Township, and Four Mile Township.
Gatto said he knows the supervisors on the board and has respect for all of them. He adds he’s proven he can work with anyone over his 12 years on the Des Moines City Council, and the county board would be no exception.
“They’ve gotten a little off track,” he added of the board’s current dynamic. “And I think a fresh voice and a fresh face would be helpful. Truly.”
Gatto said Hockensmith has been a mentor and they’d had prior discussions about his interest in the seat.
“My decision is he’s not running, and I’m going to run because I feel that I am best suited for that position to help these people that need it,” Gatto said.
Gatto said it’s particularly important to step up to help provide social services to the community in a time when the federal government is “turning their back on some of these things.” But he said the county can’t do it alone — a lot of the issues, such as homelessness and food insecurity, will need to be public-private partnerships.
Gatto also said he wants to fight to keep county programs such as senior services and help people struggling to pay their property taxes.
Gatto added he sees the Polk County supervisor’s position as a full-time job and plans to step back from his work at the restaurant should he get elected. Supervisors make a $149,290 yearly salary.
The election for his seat will be held Nov. 3, 2026. Hockensmith’s term will end when the new supervisor is sworn in in early January 2027.
Gatto’s term on the Des Moines City Council ends in January 2028. He would resign the position if elected supervisor.
Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines City Council member Joe Gatto eyes seat on the Polk County Board of Supervisors
Reporting by Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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