Markwayne Mullin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Markwayne Mullin
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Official portrait, 2022
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| United States Senator from Oklahoma |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2023 Serving with James Lankford
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| Preceded by | Jim Inhofe |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Dan Boren |
| Succeeded by | Josh Brecheen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 26, 1977 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Nationality | American Cherokee Nation |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Christie Rowan
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Missouri Valley College Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (AAS) |
| Website | |
Markwayne Mullin (born July 26, 1977) is an American businessman and politician. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation. Since 2023, he has served as a U.S. Senator for Oklahoma. He is part of the Republican Party.
Mullin was elected in a special election in 2022. He took over the rest of Jim Inhofe's term. He is the first Native American U.S. Senator since 2005. He is also the second person from the Cherokee Nation to be elected to the Senate. The first was Robert Latham Owen, who retired in 1925. Before becoming a Senator, Mullin was a U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 2nd district from 2013 to 2023.
Contents
Early Life and Business Career
Markwayne Mullin was born on July 26, 1977, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of seven children. His parents were Jim Martin Mullin and Brenda Gayle Morris Mullin. They lived in Westville, Oklahoma. His first name combines the names of two of his uncles, Mark and Wayne.
He finished high school at Stilwell High School in Stilwell, Oklahoma. In 1996, he went to Missouri Valley College. In 1997, when he was 20, Mullin took over his father's business, Mullin Plumbing. His father had become ill.
In 2010, Mullin earned an associate degree in construction technology. He got this degree from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. He is the only current U.S. Senator without a bachelor's degree.
When he was first elected to Congress in 2012, Mullin hosted a radio show. It was called House Talk and focused on home improvement. He also owned other businesses. These included Mullin Properties, Mullin Farms, and Mullin Services. In 2021, he sold his plumbing-related companies.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Mullin served in the United States House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district. He was a Representative from 2013 to 2023.
Becoming a Representative
2012 Election
In 2011, the current U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 2nd District, Dan Boren, announced he would retire. In September 2011, 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!"
In the Republican primary election, Mullin came in first. He won 42% of the votes. State representative George Faught was second. Because no one got over 50%, a runoff election was held. Mullin won the runoff against Faught.
The district had often voted for Democrats in the past. However, it had been leaning more Republican. Mullin won the general election against Democrat Rob Wallace. He was the first Republican to represent the district since 2001.
Later Elections
Mullin was reelected several times.
- In 2014, he won with 70% of the vote.
- In 2016, he won the Republican primary and then the general election.
- In 2012, Mullin had promised to serve only three terms. But in 2017, he announced he would run for a fourth term. He said he was given bad advice when he made that promise. He won the primary and was reelected in 2018.
- In 2020, Mullin won the Republican primary with a large majority. He was reelected in the general election with 75% of the vote.
Key Actions as a Representative
In 2017, Mullin received some criticism. He was recorded saying that taxpayers do not pay his salary. He stated that he paid for himself through his company's taxes. As of 2022, Mullin still received the U.S. Congress base salary of $174,000.
The U.S. House Ethics Committee looked into some of Mullin's business activities. They noted that members of Congress should not promote products or services if they benefit financially.
Mullin voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This plan provided financial relief during the pandemic. In 2022, he spoke out against President Joe Biden's plan to forgive some student loans. However, the White House pointed out that Mullin's own businesses had received federal loan forgiveness through the Paycheck Protection Program.
In 2022, Mullin introduced resolutions to remove the first and second impeachments of President Trump from the Congressional Record. These resolutions did not pass.
Events of January 6, 2021
During 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. Mullin later said he saw the shooting of a Trump supporter, Ashli Babbitt. He believed the Capitol police officer had to shoot to protect people.
Efforts in Afghanistan
In August 2021, during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Mullin tried to help. He flew to Greece and asked for permission to go to Kabul. He planned to rent a helicopter to help an American family leave Afghanistan. The U.S. Defense Department did not allow his request. The U.S. State Department and House leaders had warned members of Congress not to travel to Afghanistan at that time.
Committee Roles
As a Senator, Markwayne Mullin serves on several important committees:
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee on Environment and Public Works
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension
- Committee on Indian Affairs
Serving in the U.S. Senate
In February 2022, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe announced he would retire. This meant a special election would be held. Mullin decided to run for the Senate seat.
He was one of 13 candidates in the Republican primary. Mullin received the most votes, but not enough to win outright. He then faced T. W. Shannon in a runoff election. Mullin won the runoff. In the general election, he defeated the Democratic candidate, Kendra Horn, with 61.8% of the vote.
Key Actions as a Senator
2023 Events
Teamsters Discussion
On March 8, 2023, Senator Mullin had a heated discussion with Teamsters president Sean O'Brien. This happened during a Senate committee hearing. Mullin accused O'Brien of "intimidation." O'Brien responded that Mullin's questions were "out of line." The committee chair, Bernie Sanders, had to step in to calm the situation.
Later, in June, Mullin challenged O'Brien to a fight for charity on Twitter. On November 14, O'Brien appeared before the committee again. Mullin again challenged him to a fight. Senator Sanders quickly stopped the argument.
Since these events, Mullin and O'Brien have become friends. They talk on the phone regularly. This new relationship has influenced O'Brien's political decisions.
2025 Events
The Big Beautiful Bill
In 2025, Senator Mullin voted for the "Big Beautiful Bill." This bill was supported by the Trump administration. It included cuts to funding for Medicaid. It also added a work requirement for people receiving benefits. The bill was expected to increase the nation's debt. Experts said that about 110,000 people in Oklahoma could lose healthcare coverage. The bill would also give the largest tax breaks to the wealthiest households. Doctors in Oklahoma spoke out against the Medicaid cuts.
Political Views
Mixed Martial Arts Regulation
Mullin wants to expand federal rules for boxing to include mixed martial arts (MMA) businesses. He proposed a law in 2016. This law would make MMA companies share financial details with fighters. It would also create an independent ranking system.
2020 Presidential Election
In December 2020, Mullin supported a lawsuit that questioned the results of the 2020 United States presidential election. The Supreme Court did not hear the case. When he ran for Senate in 2022, Mullin continued to support the idea that the 2020 election was unfair.
Transgender Rights
In 2020, Mullin helped introduce a bill called the Protect Women's Sports Act. This bill would define Title IX protections based on a person's biological sex at birth. It would prevent individuals assigned male at birth from joining sports programs meant for women or girls. This would affect many transgender athletes.
Personal Life
Markwayne Mullin and his wife, Christie Renee Rowan, live in Westville, Oklahoma. They have six children, including twin girls they adopted in 2013.
Between 2006 and 2007, Mullin competed in three mixed martial arts fights. He won all three.
Mullin is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He is one of four Native Americans serving in the 119th Congress. He is the first Native American Senator elected in almost 20 years. He is also the second Cherokee Nation citizen to be elected to the Senate.
In 2021, Mullin reported that his personal assets were worth between $31.6 million and $75.6 million.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2022
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Congressman Markwayne Mullin (right) with other Native American Members of Congress, Deb Haaland (center) and Sharice Davids (left), in 2020.
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Mullin during the 113th Congress.
See also
In Spanish: Markwayne Mullin para niños
