Scoop: Joe Gatto is running for Polk County supervisor

Catch up quick: Gatto, a part-owner of Baratta's Italian Restaurant, has served on the council since a special election in 2014, filling a spot vacated after Brian Meyer won an Iowa House seat.

• Hockensmith announced last week that he will not seek reelection after serving more than 20 years on the board, citing ongoing division among the board as a reason for his decision.

Zoom in: Gatto's time on the council has focused on revitalizing neglected neighborhoods, attracting small business investment and upgrading infrastructure, especially along commercial corridors like Southwest 9th Street in his district.

• He's known for being direct, recently telling some of DSM's top managers that they are in the wrong positions if they recommend cutting fire department services.
• He joined Hockensmith in 2023 in leading an effort to oust the longtime director of the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The intrigue: Hockensmith tells Axios he's not ready to endorse anyone for his seat and wasn't aware, as of Tuesday morning, of anyone else running for it.

What's next: The primary is June 2, 2026.