[1] Pastorelli first worked in politics for Labor state MP and Education Minister Mark McGowan during the Carpenter government in the mid-2000s.
[5][6] From the end of January 2025, Pastorelli took extended leave from his job as chief of staff to campaign for Landsdale.
[7][8] Liberal candidate for Churchlands and Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas demanded that Pastorelli's leave forms be made public, which Cook declined, instead showing them to the media.
[9][10] During the election campaign, one of Pastorelli's posts on Twitter in 2011 resurfaced, in which he said "Who the f... is this old hag on sunrise throwing dirt on our PM!??".
[11] Pastorelli was elected with a majority on first preferences, beating City of Wanneroo councillor and Liberal candidate Marizane Moore.