State Representative Dwight M. Bullard hails from an esteemed educator, community activist and legislator family. His mother, Larcenia J. Bullard is a former school teacher, administrator, education consultant and member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992-2000. She was later elected to the Florida Senate in 2002 and has continued to serve since. His father Edward B. Bullard is a former educator, assistant principal, and former member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2008. In 1981, Dwight moved to Miami, where he was raised in the community of Richmond Heights. After graduating from Miami Killian, he continued his education at Florida A&M University where he received his B.S. in history education. Since 2000, Rep. Bullard has been a teacher at Coral Reef Senior High School and was sworn into office as representative of District 118 and has been reelected subsequently. He served as a member of the agriculture & natural resources policy committee, the prek-12 appropriations committee, prek-12 education policy committee and the economic development policy committee during his first term. Representative Bullard was a member of the justice appropriations subcommittee, the k-20 competitiveness subcommittee, the agriculture and natural resources subcommittee, and the criminal justice subcommittee for the 2011 legislative session and a member of higher education appropriation subcommittee for the 2012 legislative session. Representative Bullard was named democratic ranking member of the preK-12 education policy committee after his first term and became most recently Democrat ranking member of the education committee.
His extensive and remarkable role in Educational leadership has granted him tremendous recognition; Bullard was a recipient of the Florida Education Association’s Freshman Friend of Public Education Award, the Florida Education Association’s Friend of Education Award, and the Florida Association of School Administrators’ Next Generation Leader Award. Representative Bullard is also affiliated with the Miami-Dade Democrats, and hence was awarded the Young Democrat’s of Miami Dade Outstanding Leadership Award. The South Dade Democrat, the Ron Brown Democratic Caucus, and the Richmond-Perrine Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, as well as, the J.L. King Prince Hall Masonic Lodge are just a few more of his affiliations. Representative Bullard is a member of the Richmond Heights Homeowners Association and in January 2010 was named Grand Marshal of the Annual Homestead/Florida City Martin Luther King, Jr. parade. He was recognized as an honorary member of City Year Miami and received their official jacket after keynoting their annual day of service. In addition, Rep. Bullard holds a lifetime membership to the NAACP.
Outside of his representative duties, Dwight M. Bullard cultivates many recreational pursuits such as playing flag football, watching movies, listening to music, poetry, reading biographies and giving back to his alma mater Florida A&M University where he was awarded the National Rattler F. Club Distinguished Alumni Award and the Alumni Inaugural 40 Under 40 Award. When asked why he ran for Representative of District 118, he spoke about the desire to fill a void in leadership and an even stronger desire to give back. He was inspired to do so by not only his mother and father, but also President Obama whom he believes was the right candidate at the right time, for a movement that had not yet been defined. In the upcoming years, he plans to stay active in the community, saying “the people deserve a voice that identifies with them.”
Dwight Bullard learned the value of public service as a child. But it was as a teacher that he realized just how much decisions made by the government affect everyone - including students.
How could 15- and 16-year-olds, be inspired to pursue a career in public service when the state of Florida was continuing to underfund education?
So the high school teacher chose to run for office. In 2007-08, Dwight launched his campaign for the Florida House of Representatives, with a sincere desire to see Education as a central issue key to the continued success of the state of Florida.
"I wasn't running as an educator, I was running to educate others to the importance of education.” said Dwight
Little did he know how hard the lesson would be.
Standing Out in the Crowd
Dwight's mission has always been this: to use his talents to serve his community.
His involvement started early. When his mother, Larcenia Bullard, decided to run for the state Legislature, 7-year-old Dwight helped out by painting campaign signs at the kitchen table. As a college student, he honed his political leadership skills as a member of the 1998 Brain Bowl Championship team and later Director of Student Lobbying for the Student Government Association.
He graduated from FAMU in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in history and a reputation as a leader on campus. He launched his teaching career as a Miami Dade county public school teacher, helping to shape the minds of young people. He later became the sponsor for African-American history month activities at Coral Reef Senior High School as well as the sponsor for the school’s Afro-Caribbean club.
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that writing laws - not simply teaching about them - was where he could have his greatest impact. So he ran for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives, which he won. He is serving there currently.
While in the Florida House, Dwight has worked with both parties to help craft positive legislation, while tirelessly working to prevent negative legislation from seeing the light of day.
Tackling Issues
In 2009, Dwight was chosen by Democratic leadership as the ranking member on the Education Pre K-12 policy committee to represent the Democratic caucus on issues pertinent to public education policy. One House member described Dwight as a "rising leader in the House who is respected throughout our caucus and throughout the chamber." People at home also give Dwight kudos. He's been honored by groups as diverse as the Florida Education Association and the United Teachers of Dade, the Richmond Heights Crime Watch and the Rattler “F” Club.
Dwight is the only Miami-Dade Democrat with a seat on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, which writes bills regarding environmental and consumer protection issues, such as Everglades restoration and water quality issues. He is member of Young Elected Officials group and a member of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators, which gives back to the community by offering scholarships, health programs, home ownership education and other empowerment events.
In addition to his legislative duties, Dwight has sponsored legislation to:
- Do away with the FCAT.
- Protect consumers with a sales tax holiday on school supplies.
- Encourage leaders to put Florida teacher’s salaries on parwith the national average.
- Provide guard rails along Florida canals.
- Replace the FCAT with end of course exams
- Encourage the reuse of abandoned military facilities.
- Discourage students from dropping out of high school
- Create partnerships between schools and local municipalities
- Restore funding to Florida schools
Fighting For All Floridians
Dwight's leadership has won him the early backing of working men and women. The United Teachers of Dade, the state's largest teacher union, who cited Dwight's dedication to educators and students alike are among a growing list of endorsers.
Dwight's backers know that he shares their goals: a fair solution to Florida's foreclosure crisis; high-quality, affordable health care for all who need it; a strong education for our children; a cleaner planet; and better financial management of taxpayer dollars in Tallahassee.
A Family Calling
Dwight is the son of Florida State Senator Larcenia Bullard and retired State Representative Edward Bullard. He is dedicated to seeing all Floridians prosper in their own right and focused on practicing the values instilled in him by his parents.
"There's nothing like the joy that comes from helping others in need," Dwight said. "Public service is a legacy I learned from my mom, and that I hope to pass on to others. Whether it's making sure students can learn, or reworking mortgages to keep families in their homes, it's my privilege to fight for Florida, and it's a fight I look forward to continuing in the Florida House."
