Markwayne Mullin

Markwayne Mullin – Life, Career, and Political Profile

Learn about Markwayne Mullin (born July 26, 1977) — a Cherokee Nation businessman, former congressman, and U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. Explore his biography, political trajectory, controversies, and key positions.

Introduction

Markwayne Mullin is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the junior U.S. Senator from Oklahoma (since 2023). A Republican and enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, Mullin is notable for being one of the few Native American members in Congress, and for his background as a small-business owner and former mixed martial artist. His political style is often direct, combative, and aligned with conservative, rural, and populist themes.

Early Life, Family & Education

• Born: July 26, 1977, in Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Parents & siblings: He is the youngest of seven children.

• Raised in: Westville / Adair County area of eastern Oklahoma; attended Stilwell High School in Stilwell, OK.

• Higher education:
   • In 1996, he attended Missouri Valley College (did not complete a bachelor’s degree).  • In 2010, he earned an Associate of Applied Science in construction technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (Okmulgee).

Because he never earned a four-year degree, Mullin is among the few U.S. Senators without at least a bachelor’s degree.

Business & Pre-Political Career

• At age 20, following his father’s illness, Mullin took over Mullin Plumbing, the family plumbing business.

• Over time, he expanded the business into related ventures including Mullin Properties, Mullin Farms, and Mullin Services.

• Mullin has also been a cow-calf rancher.

• Additionally, Mullin competed in mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts (amateur or semi-professional) in the early 2000s; he has a record of wins in those fights.

This diverse background—small business, agriculture, fighting—has shaped his public persona as a “hands-on” and populist politician.

Political Career

U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2023)

• Mullin was first elected to Congress in 2012, representing Oklahoma’s 2nd congressional district. He took office in January 2013.

• He won multiple reelections (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020).

• During his time in the House, Mullin sat on committees including Armed Services, Environment & Public Works, Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, and Indian Affairs.

• His tenure also included some controversies: for instance, in 2017 he told constituents it was “bullcrap” to say taxpayers pay his salary, arguing he “pays for himself” via his businesses.

• In 2022, Mullin introduced resolutions to expunge President Trump’s impeachments from the Congressional Record (though those efforts did not succeed).

U.S. Senate (2023–present)

• In 2022, when Senator Jim Inhofe announced his resignation, Mullin ran in the special election to complete the term.

• He won the Republican primary runoff, defeated the Democratic candidate in the general election, and was sworn in on January 3, 2023.

• Mullin is the first Native American (across parties) to serve in the U.S. Senate since 2005, and only the second Cherokee Nation citizen to be elected to the Senate (the first was Robert Latham Owen, who retired in 1925).

• As senator, he has continued to emphasize conservative priorities—e.g. opposing abortion under all circumstances, aligning with pro-energy policies, advocating rural and small government agendas, and occasionally taking more confrontational public stances.

Political Positions & Controversies

Policy Stances

• Abortion: Mullin holds a strong pro-life position. He supports making abortion illegal in all circumstances—including cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother’s life.

• Regulation of Mixed Martial Arts: Given his personal background, Mullin has pushed for federal regulation of MMA, treating it more like boxing—with greater oversight of finances, rankings, and fighter rights.

• Transgender / Title IX: He co-sponsored the Protect Women’s Sports Act in 2020 (with Tulsi Gabbard), seeking to define Title IX protections based on biological sex at birth—effectively barring transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports in federally funded institutions.

• Violence and political rhetoric: Mullin has been involved in public confrontations. In 2023, during a Senate hearing, he clashed with Teamsters union president Sean O’Brien and challenged him to a fight, shouting “stand your butt up.”  - In 2025, Mullin released a video alluding to violence against journalists as a means to deter “fake news,” which sparked significant controversy and criticism.

• Ethics and financial concerns:
   - He received forgiveness on over $1.4 million in PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans, which drew criticism given his public opposition to certain federal loan forgiveness policies.  - At times, questions have been raised about his business dealings and whether he personally benefited from endorsements or transactions during his congressional service.

Personality, Style & Public Perception

Mullin’s public persona is bold, confrontational, and assertive. He often frames himself as a “straight-talker” from rural Oklahoma who doesn’t shy away from conflict. His MMA background adds to a reputation of toughness in the political arena.

He also emphasizes his Cherokee Nation heritage, which he uses to highlight representation in government and to connect with Native American communities.

His aggressive style has both its supporters and detractors: supporters view him as authentic and unfiltered; critics argue his rhetoric sometimes crosses lines or stokes polarization.

Selected Notable Incidents

Here are a few illustrative incidents from Mullin’s political life: