From City Staffer to Councilmember: How Joe Pradetto Flipped the Script on Local Politics | Ep.13

What really changes when you go from writing staff reports to voting on them?

 

In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Palm Desert City Councilmember Joe Pradetto, who made the rare leap from long-time government staffer to elected official. With years of experience in legislative affairs, communications, and department leadership, Joe now finds himself on the other side of the dais.

 

They unpack what it takes to shift from policy implementer to policymaker—and how to do it without losing your grounding in public service.

 

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Why Joe ran for office after more than a decade as a staffer

• What surprised him most about life on the Council

• The biggest mindset shifts when transitioning from staff to elected

• Common staff-vs-council misunderstandings and how to avoid them

• Why more government insiders should (or shouldn’t) consider running

Whether you’re a department head thinking about your next chapter, or a city manager working to build stronger relationships with your council, this episode offers practical lessons and lived experience from both sides of the dais.

 

Key Learnings:

• Staff experience can be a powerful asset—but only if you adopt a policymaker’s mindset

• Healthy council-manager relationships rely on mutual respect for roles and boundaries

• Running for office is about building trust and telling your story—not just proving competence

• Elected leadership requires humility, not just ambition

 

Featured Topics:

• Transitioning from staff to elected office

• Campaigning as a public servant

• Council-manager form of government in action

• Planning Commission service as preparation for elected roles

• Staff-council dynamics and trust-building

• Public service, work-life balance, and long-term impact

 

Links & Resources:

Connect with Joe Pradetto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-pradetto-aa90291a4/

Learn more about Joe as a Councilmember: https://joepradetto.com

Connect with Chris Mann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/

Subscribe to the Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817

 

Gov360 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z_Lr6ZiqVi8

Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614

Gov360 on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa

 

About Gov360:

Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.

 

Tags: LocalGovernment, CityCouncil, Leadership, Gov360, PublicService, CityManager, CouncilManager, StaffToElected, CampaignStrategy, CityPolitics, PalmDesert