Not a career politician....
I was born in Pike County, Illinois 46 years ago to James and Connie (Miller) Garner, my step-mother is the wonderful Marge Garner. Since I was 5, I have called Cumberland county my home. I graduated from Casey High School in 1985, after which, I joined the Navy Reserves, where I served for eight years and was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer.
I worked a variety of jobs after the Navy. A farm hand, factory, worker carpenter, IGA, and landscaper. In 1997, I founded Garner Auction Service and it continues to this day. I founded Garner Trucking Service, which lasted for 6 years until, like many hardworking small business owners, we were forced shut the doors in 2008 due to the global recession.
I am currently working at L.D. Mechanical in Charleston, Illinois, where I've been for the past 6 years. I also served as the Cumberland County Multi-Township Tax Assessor for 10 years, before resigning to devote more time to my campaign.
This is my second campaign for the 110th State Representative seat. During the 2012 primary, after being outspent 11 to 1, I won 46% of the votes, coming within a few percent of winning the election. I have been approached by numerous people since the last election, urging me to run again. I was outspent by my opponent 11 times over, but still managed to run a very clean and issue based race. Folks know I have a feel for what the communities around here want and need because I want and need the same things as a business owner, an employee, an employer, and a 40+ year resident of the district.
I worked a variety of jobs after the Navy. A farm hand, factory, worker carpenter, IGA, and landscaper. In 1997, I founded Garner Auction Service and it continues to this day. I founded Garner Trucking Service, which lasted for 6 years until, like many hardworking small business owners, we were forced shut the doors in 2008 due to the global recession.
I am currently working at L.D. Mechanical in Charleston, Illinois, where I've been for the past 6 years. I also served as the Cumberland County Multi-Township Tax Assessor for 10 years, before resigning to devote more time to my campaign.
This is my second campaign for the 110th State Representative seat. During the 2012 primary, after being outspent 11 to 1, I won 46% of the votes, coming within a few percent of winning the election. I have been approached by numerous people since the last election, urging me to run again. I was outspent by my opponent 11 times over, but still managed to run a very clean and issue based race. Folks know I have a feel for what the communities around here want and need because I want and need the same things as a business owner, an employee, an employer, and a 40+ year resident of the district.