Markwayne Mullin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Markwayne Mullin
Official portrait, 2022
United States Secretary of Homeland Security
Nominee
Assuming office TBD
President	Donald Trump
Succeeding	Kristi Noem
United States Senator from Oklahoma
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2023 Serving with James Lankford
Preceded by	Jim Inhofe
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 2nd district
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Dan Boren
Succeeded by	Josh Brecheen
Personal details
Born	(1977-07-26) July 26, 1977 (age 48) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Nationality	American Cherokee Nation
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Christie Rowan ​ (m. 1997)​
Children	6
Education	Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (AAS) Stilwell High School
Website

Markwayne Mullin (born July 26, 1977) is an American politician and businessman. He has served as a U.S. Senator for Oklahoma since January 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.

On March 5, 2026, President Donald Trump nominated Mullin to become the next United States Secretary of Homeland Security.

Mullin is a member of the Cherokee Nation. He is the first Native American U.S. Senator since 2005. Before becoming a senator, he was a U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 2nd district from 2013 to 2023.

About Markwayne Mullin

Early Life and Business Journey

Markwayne Mullin was born on July 26, 1977, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Stilwell High School in Stilwell, Oklahoma.

In 1997, at just 20 years old, Mullin took over his father's plumbing business. His father had become ill. In 2010, Mullin earned an associate degree in construction technology. He studied at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology.

Before being elected to Congress, Mullin hosted a radio show. It was called House Talk and focused on home improvement. He also owned several other businesses, including Mullin Properties and Mullin Farms. By the end of 2021, his reported assets grew significantly. This was after he sold his plumbing companies.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Markwayne Mullin served as a U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District. He held this position from 2013 to 2023.

Becoming a Representative

In 2011, the previous representative announced his retirement. Mullin decided to run for the seat. He presented himself as someone from outside of politics. His campaign slogan was "A rancher. A businessman. Not a politician!"

He won the Republican primary election. Then, he won the general election in November 2012. He was the first Republican to represent this district since 2001. He was reelected several times, in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with two other Native American Members of Congress, Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids, testified in front of a committee in 2020.

Key Moments as a Representative

In 2017, Mullin made comments about his salary during a town hall meeting. He said that he paid for his own salary through his businesses. He viewed his role as a service to the public.

The United States House Committee on Ethics looked into some of his business dealings. They noted that members of Congress should not promote products if they benefit financially. The committee said Mullin tried to follow the rules.

In 2022, Mullin spoke against a plan to forgive student loans. However, he later faced criticism. This was because his own companies had received federal loan forgiveness through the Paycheck Protection Program.

Mullin during the 113th United States Congress.

January 2021 Capitol Attack

During the events at the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Mullin helped U.S. Capitol Police. He worked with other representatives to build barricades. They protected the doors to the House Chamber from rioters. He later said that the police officer who shot a rioter had no other choice. He believed this action saved lives.

Helping in Afghanistan

In August 2021, during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Mullin tried to help. He traveled to Greece with other Americans. He wanted to rent a helicopter to help a family of U.S. citizens leave Afghanistan. However, the U.S. Defense Department and the U.S. State Department advised against this plan. They warned him not to travel to the region.

Committee Work in the House

While in the House, Mullin was part of several important committees:

• Committee on Armed Services
• Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension
• Committee on Indian Affairs

He also joined several groups of lawmakers, called caucuses:

• Republican Study Committee
• Congressional Western Caucus
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption
• Rare Disease Caucus
• Congressional Taiwan Caucus

Becoming a U.S. Senator

In February 2022, Senator Jim Inhofe announced he would resign. This meant a special election would be held. Markwayne Mullin decided to run for this Senate seat.

He won the Republican primary election. Then, he won the general election on November 8, 2022. He defeated the Democratic candidate, Kendra Horn. Mullin became a U.S. Senator in January 2023.

Important Discussions in the Senate

In March 2023, Senator Mullin had a strong disagreement with Teamsters president Sean O'Brien. This happened during a Senate committee meeting. Mullin accused O'Brien of using intimidation tactics. He also claimed O'Brien tried to unionize his plumbing business. The two had a heated exchange.

Later, in November 2023, they had another public disagreement. Mullin challenged O'Brien to a fight for charity. However, with encouragement from Donald Trump, the two later became friends. They now talk regularly.

In 2025, Mullin voted for a bill called the "One Big Beautiful Bill." This bill was supported by the Trump administration. It aimed to reduce funding for Medicaid and add work requirements for people receiving benefits. It also included tax cuts. Some people worried that many Oklahomans could lose their healthcare coverage because of these changes.

Senate Committee Roles

As a Senator, Markwayne Mullin serves on these committees:

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch (Chair)
  • Other subcommittees related to agriculture, financial services, interior, labor, and foreign operations.
• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittees on Airland, Emerging Threats, and Seapower.
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
  • Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety (Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security.
• Committee on Indian Affairs

Markwayne Mullin's Views on Issues

2020 Election Views

During his campaign for the Senate in 2022, Mullin supported the idea that the 2020 United States presidential election results were unfair.

Sports and Fair Play

In 2020, Mullin supported a bill called the Protect Women's Sports Act. This bill aimed to make sure that sports programs for girls and women were based on a person's sex at birth.

Border Security and Immigration

Mullin has always supported strong rules for immigration. On his Senate website, he has called for finishing the U.S.–Mexico border wall. He also supported bringing back the Remain in Mexico policy. This policy required some asylum seekers to wait in Mexico.

He also supported parts of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that focused on border security. This included money for building the border wall. It also funded more ICE agents. The bill also had rules that some people worried might change how long immigrant children could stay in special care.

In 2025, Mullin spoke up for ICE agents. He said they were facing more threats. He also worked closely with President Trump on immigration issues in the Senate.

Personal Life and Background

Markwayne Mullin lives in Westville, Oklahoma, with his wife, Christie Renee Rowan. They have six children, including twin girls they adopted in 2013.

Before his political career, Mullin was also a mixed martial arts fighter. He competed in three matches between 2006 and 2007, winning all of them.

He is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He is one of four Native Americans serving in the 119th Congress. He is also the second Cherokee Nation citizen to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

In 2021, Mullin reported that his personal assets were between $31.6 million and $75.6 million.

Electoral History

2014

2016

2018

2020

2022

Mixed Martial Arts Record

See also

In Spanish: Markwayne Mullin para niños