Hi, I’m Brian Garner, a small-town politician and former City Commissioner in Union, Kentucky (20 minutes south of Cincinnati, OH). I recently ran for re-election and won, but our election had ballot issues that led to a judge voiding the results. As a result, our Mayor appointed the last-place finisher and someone who didn’t even run. Now, I’m fighting back.

This situation isn’t just about me—it’s about election integrity and making sure the will of the voters is respected. Politically, I was a lifelong Conservative Republican and even voted for Trump in 2016. However, I left the Republican Party in 2017, became an Independent, and after the 2024 election, I officially registered as a Democrat. My journey through different political affiliations has given me a unique perspective on the system and the challenges within both parties.

I’ve been active in my community for years, serving Union as a City Commissioner and working to make local government more transparent and accountable. Beyond politics, I’m a husband, a father of four, an insurance agent, and a proud Northern Kentuckian.

Ask me anything about local politics, my case, or small-town government drama—I’m happy to share my experience.

Links to both parties condemning the Mayor:

Boone County Republican Party Statement

Boone County Democratic Party Statement

Media and News:

K-Wal Cast episode discussing the election

Link NKY Local news story

Social Media Accounts:

Bluesky

Facebook

Proof

I'm Brian Garner Im a small town politician in the middle of an election controversy. Ask me about local politics, my election issues, or AMA
byu/BrianGarnerNKY inpolitics

11 comments

  1. Hello there Brian, a few things.

    1. What were the major reasons for your switch on political views?

    2. How do you think we can get people to pay more attention to local politics?

    3. What are your biggest concerns for our nation heading into the next few years?

  2. Hi Brian! Thanks for the AMA.

    How do you think we can better protect the integrity of our elections? Not just small scale (although it very much starts there). After Trump’s comments about Musk and the election in Pennsylvania, it’s hard to trust that the voting was actually legitimate, and there’s obviously others still questioning the 2020 election. How do we as Americans move forward when a significant portion of voters think their vote “doesn’t matter anyway” or that the election was stolen or what have you— how do we fight this and get back to some normalcy?

  3. Do you have any concerns about public health in your community, now that Brain-worm is confirmed as HHS secretary?

  4. Hi Brian,

    How aware are you of the various tariffs that Donald Trump is intent on levying on Canada and the associated responses that Canada will implement that will increase costs for American businesses and consumers?

    And are you aware that one of Canada’s responses will be to specifically target US alcohol, including Kentucky Bourbon?

    Would appreciate if you could comment on whether you believe this impending trade war is going to be positive for your local economy and constituents.

  5. Would you consider yourself a more centre or left democrat? Also, are there particular things you still have right wing views on?

  6. Hi Brian, given the election issues in your small town, do you have any thoughts about questions regarding the integrity of the most recent US federal election?

  7. King Solomon indeed. Crazy has taken over Northern Kentucky.

  8. Hello Brian. I hope everything works out well for you & your election. My questions are more about political change.

    **1:** Do you think the time is right, given the state of things, for another party to come along and supplant either the Dems or GOP? Like how the Republicans formed in the 1850s when the Whigs began to fall apart.

    **2:** It occurs to me that many of our country’s problems stem from a common cause. The rise of extremism, the increased racism & misogyny, and growing numbers of diseases of despair such as addiction and depression – Even a significant portion of mass shootings, I’d wager. All of these seem to me to be symptoms of a lack of community ties.

    We’re more connected than ever, but have never been more depressed and lonely. We isolate ourselves with social media, where we might have a conversation but we lose a major aspect of human interaction. Children don’t often play outside in the neighborhood on their own anymore. Young men lack positive male role models to teach and guide them, leading to bitterness and anger that leave them vulnerable to ideologies like Trump or Andrew Tate. 90%+ of mass shootings are carried out by young men, who have more often than not given in to extremist rhetoric.

    In my opinion, getting back out into our communities and becoming active citizens again – really re-establish ties to each other- would make situations like these so much better or solve them outright. What are your thoughts on that assessment? If you believe it would be beneficial, do you think that America is ready to have that conversation with ourselves?

  9. I know things in the political sphere are dire, but since this is an AMA:

    What is the best Little Debbie/Hostess style snack cake and why is it Star Crunch?

  10. Hello, other side of the countryn and unaffiliated voter. For a light hearted question, do you prefer dogs or cats, or something else entirely.

    Serious question. What do you think is going to happen with this seemingly Constitutional Crisis that is going on? Do you think there is blatant corruption of the highest ups?

  11. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to your constituents who feel helpless about politics right now about how they can actually help/make a difference m?

Comments are closed.