Bullard was known for his strongly liberal stances and his passion for defending and expanding personal civil liberties. He was one of a few members of the Democratic Socialists of America to be elected to public office.[1][2]
According to the Associated Press, Bullard was part of a group of young liberal representatives who, during the 1970s, were known as the "Kiddie Caucus"; other members included David Hollister of Lansing and Morris Hood of Detroit. Early in his tenure, Bullard was the subject of criticism after he was photographed using marijuana at the second annual Hash Bash, a rally promoting less restrictive marijuana laws. Bullard told reporters who surrounded him as he smoked that "there's nothing wrong with it."[3][4] Bullard eventually came to chair the state house Judiciary Committee. He sponsored the Open Meetings Act, the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, and blocked legislation that would have revived the death penalty and loosened requirements for police wiretaps. A decorated naval veteran of the Vietnam War, in which he served in 1966–67, he later renounced his 13 medals at an antiwar rally.[5]
During the 1990s, after retiring from the state legislature, Bullard ran unsuccessfully for a state judgeship.
