Owen Brewster graduated summa cum laude from Bowdoin College and earned a law degree from Harvard. He began his career as an educator, then practiced law in Portland. Brewster transitioned to public service, holding various positions in state government and representing Maine in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He was known for his opposition to President Roosevelt's New Deal and his investigations into defense procurement during World War II. Brewster's career was marked by his stance against Howard Hughes' commercial interests and his association with Senator Joseph McCarthy, which affected his political standing.

Owen Brewster's political identity is marked by a complex blend of fiscal conservatism and regional advocacy, particularly in opposition to New Deal policies and Howard Hughes' commercial interests. His legislative record reveals an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, showcasing a highly calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests. Brewster's ideological stance is further complicated by his early association with the Ku Klux Klan and later alignment with McCarthyism, revealing a contentious relationship with civil liberties and anti-communism.