Municipal Political Elites: Sociodemographic Profiles and Career Paths in Umbria

Despite the critical role of local political elites in modern multilevel democracies, the profiles and career trajectories of local politicians, especially at municipal level, remain largely underexplored. This paper seeks to fill this gap by investigating the sociodemographic characteristics and career paths of local councillors, executive members, and mayors in Umbrian municipalities. Drawing on an original dataset, this study analyses the age, gender, educational attainment, professional background, and political experience of Umbrian local politicians. Particular attention is paid to the differences between offices and the demographic dimensions of municipalities. Findings indicate that Umbrian local politicians, like their counterparts throughout Italy and Europe, are predominantly middleaged, highly educated, and often employed in highly specialised jobs. By focusing on the Umbrian case, this paper provides valuable insights into the composition of local political elites and contributes to a deeper understanding of democratic representation at the municipal level.