For part of his tenure, Beagle served as the Chairman for the Senate Workforce and Economic Development Committee.

After being actively involved in the community, he was appointed to the Tipp City Council in 2003, and was reelected in 2005.

While at first not considered vulnerable due to the presence of heavily Democratic Dayton, Republicans began to target Strahorn's seat as a potential pickup early in 2010.

Beagle entered the race to try to oust him, and first faced a primary challenge from ultra-Conservative Joe Lemaster.

[2] Soon after, the strong Republican sentiment allowed for the seat to become contentious, and in the general election, Beagle was again successful, winning a close race against Strahorn by 1,700 votes.