Harlan B. Howe completed his legal education at the University of Michigan Law School and practiced law in St. Johnsbury for over two decades. He transitioned to public service, serving in the Vermont House of Representatives and making unsuccessful bids for the United States House of Representatives and the governorship of Vermont. Appointed by President Woodrow Wilson, Howe served on the United States District Court for the District of Vermont until assuming senior status due to disability. Throughout his career, Howe demonstrated a commitment to public service and legal expertise.

Harland B. Howe's political career reveals an intriguing blend of judicial rigor and ideological fluidity, particularly in his unexpected alignments on environmental regulations. His judicial appointments and legislative endeavors suggest a calculated approach, balancing regional industrial interests with broader policy objectives. Howe's rhetoric often emphasizes a nuanced understanding of local dynamics, making his policy positions both surprising and strategically sound. His ability to navigate and reconcile opposing viewpoints hints at an ideologically agile stance that merits further exploration.