Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Markwayne Mullin

Discover the career path of Markwayne Mullin, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Markwayne Mullin is an American politician and businessman serving as the junior United States Senator from Oklahoma since 2023. A Republican, he won a 2022 special election to fill the remainder of Jim Inhofe's term. Mullin is the first Native American U.S. Senator since 2005 and the second Cherokee Nation citizen elected to the Senate. Prior to his Senate service, Mullin represented Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1907: Robert Latham Owen Was Senator for Oklahoma

Robert Latham Owen was a senator for Oklahoma from 1907 to 1925. Mullin is the second Cherokee Nation citizen elected to the Senate, after Robert Latham Owen.

1925: Robert Latham Owen Was Senator for Oklahoma

Robert Latham Owen was a senator for Oklahoma from 1907 to 1925. Mullin is the second Cherokee Nation citizen elected to the Senate, after Robert Latham Owen.

1925: Robert Latham Owen Retired

Robert Latham Owen, the first Cherokee Nation citizen elected to the Senate, retired in 1925.

1997: Took over Mullin Plumbing

In 1997, at age 20, Markwayne Mullin took over his father's business, Mullin Plumbing, when his father fell ill.

2001: Tom Coburn Represented the District

In 2001, Tom Coburn represented the District. Mullin was the first Republican to represent the district since Tom Coburn in 2001.

2005: First Native American U.S. Senator since Campbell Retired

In 2005, Ben Nighthorse Campbell retired. Markwayne Mullin is the first Native American U.S. senator since Campbell retired in 2005.

November 2006: Fought in MMA Fight

Between November 2006 and April 2007, Mullin fought in three mixed martial arts fights, winning all three.

April 2007: Fought in MMA Fight

Between November 2006 and April 2007, Mullin fought in three mixed martial arts fights, winning all three.

June 2011: Dan Boren Announced Retirement

In June 2011, incumbent U.S. Representative Dan Boren announced that he would retire at the end of 2012.

September 2011: Declared Candidacy for Congressional Seat

In September 2011, Markwayne Mullin declared his candidacy for the 2nd Congressional District seat, branding himself as an outsider.

2012: Finished First in Republican Primary

In 2012, Mullin finished first in the six-candidate Republican primary with 42% of the vote and subsequently defeated George Faught in a runoff, 57%–43%.

2012: Owned Various Businesses

In 2012, when elected to Congress, Mullin owned Mullin Properties, Mullin Farms, and Mullin Services, in addition to Mullin Plumbing. He also reported income from family companies and shares in a bank.

2012: Promised to Serve Three Terms

In 2012, when he first ran for Congress, Mullin promised to serve only three terms (six years).

2012: Hosted House Talk

In 2012, when he was first elected to Congress, Mullin hosted House Talk, a home improvement radio program syndicated across Oklahoma, on Tulsa station KFAQ.

2013: Served as U.S. Representative

From 2013 to 2023, Markwayne Mullin served as the U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district.

2014: Re-elected to Congress

In 2014, Mullin was reelected with 70% of the vote, defeating Democrat Earl Everett.

June 2016: Defeated Jarrin Jackson

In June 2016, Mullin defeated Jarrin Jackson in the Republican primary by 27 percentage points.

2016: Proposed Legislation for MMA Businesses

In 2016, Mullin proposed legislation to extend federal boxing regulations to mixed martial arts businesses like Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

July 2017: Announced Run for Fourth Term

In July 2017, Mullin released a video announcing that he would run for a fourth term in 2018, reversing his earlier promise to serve only three terms.

2018: Re-elected to Congress

In 2018, Mullin won a four-way Republican primary with 54% of the vote, and was reelected in November with 65% of the vote.

December 10, 2020: Introduced Protect Women's Sports Act

On December 10, 2020, Mullin and Representative Tulsi Gabbard introduced the Protect Women's Sports Act, a bill to define Title IX protections on the basis of an individual's biological sex.

2020: Re-elected to Congress

In 2020, Mullin won the Republican primary with 79.9% of the vote, and was reelected in November with 75% of the vote.

2021: Sale of Plumbing Companies

At the end of 2021, Mullin's reported assets increased due to the sale of his plumbing-related companies to HomeTown Services in early 2021.

2021: Voted Against American Rescue Plan Act

In 2021, Mullin voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

February 2022: Inhofe Resigned and Mullin Announced Candidacy

In February 2022, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe announced his resignation, and Markwayne Mullin announced he would run in the special election to fill the remainder of his term.