Breean L. Beggs
A candidate for Spokane City Council, south council district, City of Spokane in the 2017 Washington General Election, Nov. 7
Party: No party
Age: 62
City: Spokane, WA
Why he’s running: Beggs is running for a second term amid what he believes is a wave of momentum behind the city. “Spokane is, right now, what I call ‘in play.’ It can really take the next step, and the momentum is strong. I’m someone who brings people together, especially from opposing viewpoints. I have enough knowledge with 3 three and a half years on the council to really facilitate moving forward together.”
His pitch: In his three-plus years on the City Council, Beggs believes he has established himself as a member who brings people together from opposing viewpoints and finds compromise. Beggs has been deployed to find common ground in the city’s approach to emergency communications.
Education: Graduated from Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington. Earned a bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University in 1985 and a law degree from University of Washington School of Law in 1991.
Political experience: Beggs was first nominated to fill a vacancy on the City Council in 2016. He won election to that same seat in 2017. He lost the race for Spokane County prosecutor in 2014.
Work experience: Beggs, an attorney, worked as the director of the Center for Justice from 2004 to 2010. He represented the family of Otto Zehm in a lawsuit against the city. Works as a private practice attorney in Spokane with Paukert & Troppmann PLLC.
Family: Married. Has three children.
Race Results
| Candidate | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Breean L. Beggs (N) | 10,434 | 57.97% |
| Andy Dunau (N) | 7,565 | 42.03% |
Related Coverage
Condon touts progress on environmental policies, chooses not to sign climate change ordinance
The mayor said this week he had continued concerns about the future costs of some of the covenants agreed to by the City Council last month. Spokane has already taken fiscally responsible steps to promote environmental stewardship and will continue to do so, he said. But city lawmakers are puzzled about the law’s chilly reception.
Beggs and Mumm post strong showings in Spokane City Council primaries, Burke and Benn face off in northeast
The two incumbents on the primary ballots for Spokane City Council earned the majority of votes counted Tuesday in their districts. Kate Burke will square off against Tim Benn in northeast Spokane.
Mumm faces two challengers, criticism of City Hall’s business acumen in race for northwest Spokane seat
Brian Burrow, a project manager, and Matthew Howes, owner of a north side restaurant and pub, said they’ll do more to promote and assist businesses in town than the current City Council and incumbent Candace Mumm.
Open City Council seat in northeast Spokane draws 3 challengers advocating change at City Hall
With the departure of City Councilwoman Amber Waldref due to term limits, three candidates seeking their first election to political office want to change the way the city engages with neighborhoods in the northeast part of town. Kate Burke, Tim Benn and Kathryn Alexander bring different ideologies and political experiences to the race, but all agree the focus needs to shift back to neighborhoods in that area of the city.
Three challenge Breean Beggs for Spokane City Council seat representing South Hill
Challengers seeking Breean Beggs’ appointed seat on the Spokane City Council criticize policies he’s floated on oil and coal trains and ways to pay for more police, but the 44-year-old attorney says that’s just part of the work he’s doing for the city and dismisses labels.
Editorial: Beggs, Dunau should advance in council race
Breann Beggs has achieved important accomplishments, though we worry about his political activism. Andy Dunau, who is supported by former council members Mike Allen and Steve Salvatori, evinces a thoughtful, pragmatic leadership style.
City Council asks Mayor Condon to cap overtime, enhance civilian oversight in negotiations with Spokane Police Guild
In a letter to Mayor David Condon agreed to Monday night, the Spokane City Council requested negotiations with the police union include caps on overtime hours and a more defined role for the city’s Office of Police Ombudsman.
City Council seeks more control of how Police Department uses seized funds
The panel is set to vote on a bill Monday that will put the spending of money seized from suspected criminals under their authority and require regular public reports.
Spokane considers new misdemeanor penalty to combat car theft
Under a new law, entering or staying in a car that isn’t yours would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. The Spokane Police Department said the new law would allow them to charge people who appear to be on the way to committing more serious crimes, like vehicle prowling or auto theft.
Ex-con tortured by gang members asked for protection by the state and instead nearly lost his fingers
The first time that convicted felon Ahmet Hopovac asked the Department of Corrections to let him leave Grant County for Idaho was in January 2011. He argued he was homeless and didn’t have any money. The second time he asked for help was because the Pocos Locos, a well-known gang in the area, were after him. He again wanted to leave the state, fearing he could get hurt, or worse.