Brower was born on February 8, 1964 in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin and moved to Nevada at a young age. He graduated from Bonanza High School in Las Vegas in 1982, and he attended the University of California, Berkeley—where he received his Bachelor's Degree in political economy in 1986. Brower later received a law degree from George Washington University in 1992.

Following college, Brower served as a surface warfare officer on a warship in the Pacific Fleet and in the Pentagon in the United States Navy during active and reserve duty from 1987-1993. He was a commissioned officer with the rank of Lieutenant.

In 1998, Brower was elected to the Nevada Assembly and served two terms. Brower currently represents Nevada Senate District 15, previously called Washoe County District 3, in the Nevada Senate, a position he was appointed to by the Washoe County Commission following the resignation of Sen. Bill Raggio in January 2011.

Immediately prior to his nomination, Brower worked as a Lawyer in the Bush Administration from 2003-2007. He first worked in the U.S. Justice Department, and then served as Inspector General and general counsel for the Government Printing Office.

He was nominated to the U.S. Attorney post by President George W. Bush on November 15, 2007, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on December 13, 2007.

Brower served as the United States Attorney for the District of Nevada, Nevada's chief federal prosecutor, from 2008-2009.

He left office on October 10, 2009, following the nomination and confirmation of Daniel G. Bogden to replace him by President Barack Obama.