During his tenure as party chair while also serving in the Vermont State Legislature, Howard announced publicly that he was gay. He currently serves as one of five openly gay members of the Vermont Legislature, alongside Sen. Ed Flanagan (D-Chittenden County) and representatives Bill Lippert (D-Hinesburg), Suzi Wizowaty (D-Burlington) and Jason Lorber (D-Burlington).
From 1993 to 1999, Howard represented the town of Rutland in the Vermont House of Representatives, serving the district of Rutland-4. From 1995 to 1997 served as chair of the Vermont Democratic Party and was the youngest state political party chair in the nation.