Pullinger was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in a 1989 by-election, succeeding Dave Stupich in the riding of Nanaimo. In what was then a dual-member district, she served alongside Dale Lovick, whom she would later marry.[3] In the 1991 election, the electoral districts were realigned and Pullinger ran in the new riding of Cowichan-Ladysmith, which she represented for two terms until her retirement from politics in 2001,[2] while Lovick continued to represent Nanaimo.
She served in the Executive Council of British Columbia, as Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture, Minister of Human Resources, Minister of Community Development, Co-Operatives and Volunteers, and Minister of Social Development and Economic Security.