Knudsen running for City Council
Former city employee seeking Ward 1 position
Former Las Vegas employee Brian Knudsen is plotting a return to city government — this time in the political arena.
Knudsen is launching a bid for the Ward 1 City Council seat, which will be an incumbent-free race in next year’s city election. Term limits will force Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian out of office next year. She has represented Ward 1 since winning a special election in 2005.
The central Las Vegas ward is home to the city’s burgeoning medical district, and Knudsen said he would prioritize city infrastructure that allows for the expansion of the medical centers and future growth.
“I think that as the medical district develops, transportation is a huge issue,” Knudsen said. “Safe, walkable routes around our neighborhoods is an important piece of it.”
Particularly after his son spent a month at University Medical Center last year, Knudsen began to see an integrated health care model for children as “absolutely critical,” and he calls it a “dream” for a new children’s hospital to be built in the district. Pushing for an integrated mental health care system, including care for Las Vegas’ homeless population, is another priority, he said.
Knudsen, a first-time political candidate, spent roughly nine years working for the city. He left in 2014 and now owns BP2 Solutions, a boutique consulting firm in downtown Las Vegas with a focus on nonprofits and education.
“I believe I have an impact now doing what I do as a consultant working with nonprofits, and I think that the most impact I can have is sitting at that elected-official level, pushing the button yes or no, working to better relationships with the county, the state, and partnering with some of the nonprofit organizations that are serving our most vulnerable populations,” Knudsen said.
During his time with the city, Knudsen was heavily involved with Downtown Achieves, a program aiming to close education gaps and a precursor to the city’s Department of Youth Development and Social Innovation.
“There are people who say the city doesn’t belong in that space, but I disagree completely,” Knudsen said. “I think every elected official, regardless of the position they hold, should be standing up and fighting for the rights of children. I would love to sustain and grow what the city is doing.”
Knudsen supports a proposal to build a light-rail system connecting hubs in the Las Vegas Valley. He thinks the city should further clamp down on an issue Tarkanian elevated during her tenure — short-term rentals, which have stirred controversy as home-sharing platforms have gained popularity.
“I think the city has taken good steps to mitigate the impact. I would take it further,” Knudsen said. “I don’t think businesses belong in residential districts.”
Knudsen is the first candidate to go public with plans to run for the Ward 1 seat. In an annual contributions and expenses report filed with the Nevada secretary of state’s office, he reported raising $25,316 last year, and he lent his campaign $5,000.
Contact Jamie Munks at jmunks@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0340. Follow @Journo_jamie_ on Twitter.