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 businessman and Republican politician currently serving as the junior U.S. Senator from Oklahoma since 2023. He won a special election in 2022 to fill the remainder of Jim Inhofe's term. Notably, Mullin is the first Native American U.S. Senator since 2005 and the second Cherokee Nation citizen ever elected to the Senate. Prior to his Senate tenure, Mullin represented Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023.
1997: Took over Family Business
In 1997, at the age of 20, Markwayne Mullin took over his father's business, Mullin Plumbing, when his father became ill.
September 2011: Mullin Declared Candidacy
In September 2011, Markwayne Mullin declared his candidacy for the 2nd Congressional District seat, branding himself as an outsider with the slogan "A rancher. A businessman. Not a politician!"
2012: Won Congressional Nomination
In 2012, Markwayne Mullin won the Republican primary runoff election to gain the congressional nomination.
2012: Owned Multiple Businesses When Elected to Congress
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 bank shares.
2012: Hosted Home Improvement Radio Program
In 2012, when he was first elected to Congress, Markwayne Mullin hosted House Talk, a home improvement radio program syndicated across Oklahoma, on Tulsa station KFAQ.
2013: Became U.S. Representative
In 2013, Markwayne Mullin became the U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district.
2014: Mullin Reelected
In 2014, Markwayne Mullin was reelected with 70% of the vote, defeating Democrat Earl Everett.
June 2016: Defeated Jarrin Jackson in Republican Primary
In June 2016, Mullin defeated Jarrin Jackson by 27 percentage points in the Republican primary.
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 Fourth Term
In 2018, Mullin was re-elected in November with 65% of the vote.
2020: Won Republican Primary and Reelected
In 2020, Markwayne Mullin won the Republican primary with 79.9% of the vote and was reelected in November with 75% of the vote.
2021: Reported Asset Increase Due to Company Sale
At the end of 2021, Mullin's reported assets increased significantly due to the sale of his plumbing-related companies to HomeTown Services, which occurred in early 2021 while he was serving in the House of Representatives.
February 2022: Inhofe Announced Resignation, Mullin Announced Candidacy
In February 2022, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe announced his resignation, which led Mullin to announce his candidacy in the special election.
2022: Elected in Special Election
In 2022, Markwayne Mullin was elected in a special election to serve the remainder of Jim Inhofe's term as U.S. Senator for Oklahoma.
2023: Became U.S. Senator
In 2023, Markwayne Mullin became the junior United States Senator from Oklahoma.
