George Drew began his career as an apprentice in Lowell, Massachusetts, before moving to the South and establishing a machine shop in Columbus, Georgia. He later opened the largest sawmill in Florida, demonstrating his entrepreneurial acumen. Drew transitioned into public service during Reconstruction, becoming chairman of Madison County's commissioners. His leadership in government was marked by efforts to stabilize the state's finances, including proposing expenditure cuts and introducing convict leasing. Drew's tenure as governor involved significant initiatives to improve the public school system, although his views on education were mixed, supporting elementary education while opposing public high schools.

George Drew's political identity is marked by a surprising blend of fiscal conservatism with progressive educational reforms. His tenure as governor saw him propose drastic budget cuts and convict leasing to stabilize the economy, yet he also championed minor improvements in elementary education, framing it as a cost-effective alternative to social welfare. Drew's ideological agility is evident in his support for rural education and standardized textbooks, while simultaneously advocating for the elimination of public high schools and the closure of the state's agriculture college.