Carla Howell received 12% of the vote running for Senate and that was with both a Republican and a Democrat in the race. (The Democrat was Ted Kennedy).
She has almost single handedly gotten the MA repeal the income tax initiative on the ballot.
She, along with Michael Cloud have initiated the only lawsuit which intends to strike down all campaign finance laws (see http://realcampaignreform.org/).
She isn't finished. And she's running for Governor. We'll see what happens.
I heard Carla Howe speak once, to a small group which is known for asking tough but fair questions. She did very well...although there was one ultra liberal Democrat who "got her" (on purpose, I thought) on a question she probably should've been able to answer. (Do you think the NTSB should be abolished?...she didn't know what it was. Suggestion...have her bring an advisor with a laptop when she speaks, to find things fast)
I really, really liked her and her commitment to her ideals. And she won the crowd over. But now, with Mitt Romney running as the Republican Governor candidate, I think it will keep people voting for the Republican or Democrat, as the campaign will probably get hot. (If the Democrats are smart, they'll nominnate a Catholic..with the church mess, the Catholics in MA need someone to rally around.) I wish she were running for a vulnerable Congressional seat...the Republican Party isn't trying real hard there.