Dan Garvey began his career in the railroad industry, gaining experience in financial management. He later transitioned to public service, holding various roles in county and city treasuries. Garvey's career included significant leadership roles, such as serving as Pima County treasurer and Tucson city treasurer. He moved to Phoenix, where he worked as an assistant to the Secretary of State before being appointed to the role himself. Garvey was elected Secretary of State twice and assumed the governorship upon the death of Governor Osborn, winning a full term thereafter. After his tenure as governor, he continued public service as an administrator for the federal Reconstruction Finance Corporation and state examiner.

Dan Garvey's political career reveals an ideologically agile approach, marked by unexpected alliances and a knack for regional economic growth. His tenure as governor saw Arizona transition into a competitive two-party state, a period of rapid growth that paradoxically attracted a significant Republican influx. Garvey's later role with the federal Reconstruction Finance Corporation suggests a calculated effort to balance state interests with federal initiatives. His ability to navigate and influence shifting political landscapes makes his approach both intriguing and worthy of deeper examination.