Garner holds a bachelor's degree and has a background in business, having founded a family-owned pest-control company. He has served on the Hempstead Village Board of Trustees and held a position as Deputy Nassau County Comptroller, demonstrating expertise in local governance and public finance. Garner's tenure as Mayor of Hempstead focused on revitalization, redevelopment, and housing issues, further evidenced by his participation in the 2002 White House Conference on Minority Homeownership. Garner's experience includes a congressional race and multiple mayoral campaigns, showcasing his dedication to public service. His military service as a Vietnam-era veteran likely informs his commitment to veteran support and benefits.

Garner's political identity is shaped by a blend of local governance expertise and community advocacy, with an intriguing focus on economic revitalization. Garner's Vietnam-era veteran status informs his commitment to veteran support, while his involvement in housing issues suggests a nuanced approach to economic policy. His unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations reveals a calculated strategy to protect regional industrial interests. Garner's ideological agility and localized focus create a compelling, albeit complex, political persona.