Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin, 117th Congress portrait.jpg
United States Senator-elect
from Oklahoma
Assuming office
January 3, 2023
SucceedingJim Inhofe
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 2nd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded byDan Boren
Personal details
Born
Mark Wayne Mullin

(1977-07-26) July 26, 1977 (age 45)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
NationalityUnited States
Cherokee Nation
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Christie Rowan
​
(m. 1997)​
Children6
EducationOklahoma State University Institute of Technology (AAS)
WebsiteHouse website

Mark Wayne "Markwayne" Mullin (born July 26, 1977) is an American politician, businessman, and former professional mixed martial arts fighter serving as the U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district since 2013. He was elected to the United States Senate in 2022. He is a member of the Republican Party, and the first Native American in the Senate since fellow Republican Ben Nighthorse Campbell retired from Congress in 2005.[1]

Early life and career

Mullin was born on July 26, 1977, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[2] He graduated from Stilwell High School in Stilwell, Oklahoma.[3] He attended Missouri Valley College in 1996, but did not graduate.[2] In 2010, Mullin received an associate degree in construction technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology.[2][4]

Mullin took over his father's business, Mullin Plumbing, at age 20, when his father fell ill. He also owns Mullin Properties, Mullin Farms, and Mullin Services.[5] He hosted House Talk, a home improvement radio program syndicated across Oklahoma, on Tulsa station KFAQ.[6][better source needed]

U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with two of the other (at the time four) Native American Members of Congress, Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Sharice Davids (D-KS), testified in front of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measurers, March 4, 2020
Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with two of the other (at the time four) Native American Members of Congress, Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Sharice Davids (D-KS), testified in front of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measurers, March 4, 2020

Elections

2012 campaign

See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma § District 2

In June 2011, incumbent Democratic U.S. Congressman Dan Boren announced that he would retire at the end of 2012.[7] In September 2011, Mullin declared his candidacy for the 2012 elections to the United States House of Representatives to represent Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district.[8] Mullin branded himself as an outsider; his campaign slogan was "A rancher. A businessman. Not a politician!"[9][better source needed] In the six-candidate Republican primary, Mullin finished first with 42% of the vote; state representative George Faught ranked second with 23% of the vote.[10] In the primary runoff election, Mullin defeated Faught, 57%–43%.[11]

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district had historically been a "Yellow Dog" Democratic district, but had steadily trended Republican as Tulsa's suburbs spilled into its northern portion.[citation needed] For this reason, Mullin was thought to have a good chance of winning the election.[citation needed] He defeated the Democratic nominee, former district attorney Rob Wallace, 57%–38%.[12] Mullin was the first Republican to represent the district since Tom Coburn in 2001.[13]

2016 campaign

See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma § District 2

In the June 2016 Republican primary, Mullin defeated Jarrin Jackson by 27 percentage points.[14] In the November general election, he defeated Democrat Joshua Harris-Till by 47 percentage points.[15]

2018 campaign

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma § District 2

When he first ran for Congress in 2012, Mullin promised to serve only three terms (six years), but in July 2017 he released a video announcing that he would run for a fourth term in 2018, saying he was ill-advised when he made the promise to only serve three terms.[16] After he reneged on this promise, former U.S senator Tom Coburn said he would work to oust Mullin from office.[14] Mullin won a four-way Republican primary with 54% of the vote, and was reelected in November with 65% of the vote.[17][18]

2020 campaign

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma § District 2

In 2020, Mullin won the Republican primary with 79.9% of the vote, and was reelected in November with 75% of the vote.[19][20]

Tenure

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On February 5, 2014, Mullin introduced the bill To revoke the charter of incorporation of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma at the request of that tribe (H.R. 4002; 113th Congress), which would accept the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma's request to revoke the charter of incorporation issued to it and ratified by its members on June 1, 1940.[21]

In 2015, Mullin condemned the Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which held that same-sex marriage bans violated the constitution.[22]

In April 2017, Mullin drew criticism when he was recorded during a town hall meeting telling his constituents that it was "bullcrap" that taxpayers pay his salary. He said, "I pay for myself. I paid enough taxes before I got here and continue to through my company to pay my own salary. This is a service. No one here pays me to go."[23] As of 2022, Mullin still collects the U.S. Congress base salary of $174,000.[24]

In 2021, Mullin was one of 29 Republicans to vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.[25] This bill expanded legal protections for transgender people, and contained provisions allowing transgender women to use women's shelters and serve time in prisons matching their gender identity.[26]

Along with all other Senate and House Republicans, Mullin voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.[27] In August 2022, he came out against President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, but subsequently received criticism after the White House Twitter account pointed out that Mullin had benefitted from $1.4 million of federal PPP loan forgiveness.[28][29][30][31][32][33] Mullin also voted against the TRUTH Act (H.R. 6782), a bill that would have required public disclosure of companies that received funds through the bailout program.[34][35]

January 6 Capitol attack

During the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Mullin and Representatives Troy Nehls (a former Sheriff and Army veteran) and Pat Fallon (an Air Force veteran) helped U.S. Capitol Police build barricades and protect the doors to the House chamber from the rioters. He and many of his colleagues were later ushered to a secure location, where he declined offers to wear a mask, in violation of House rules.[36][37] Mullin said that he witnessed the shooting of Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt during the attack, which occurred after she climbed through a barricade leading towards the House Chamber; Mullin's viewpoint was that the Capitol police officer "didn't have a choice" but to shoot, and that this action "saved people's lives", with members of Congress and their staff "in danger" from the "mob".[38][39][40]

August 2021 Afghanistan visit

On August 30, 2021, during the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Mullin asked officials of the U.S. embassy in Tajikistan for assistance in going to Afghanistan to retrieve five American citizens. Because the plan involved violations of Tajikistan currency restrictions, the embassy staffers refused. The U.S. State Department had warned Mullin not to try his own rescue of Americans in Afghanistan, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy had both urged members of Congress to avoid travel to Afghanistan during the final days of the U.S. military presence.[41]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

United States Senate

Senate campaign

Main article: 2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma

In February 2022, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe announced he would resign from his seat at the end of the 117th United States Congress on January 3, 2023, necessitating a special election to fill the remainder of his term. Mullin announced that he would run in the special election.[44]

In a field of 13 candidates that included Scott Pruitt and Nathan Dahm, Mullin received the most votes, with 44%, but short of the 50% required to avoid a runoff. He faced former state House Speaker T. W. Shannon, who received 18%, in the runoff election on August 23.[45] Mullin defeated Shannon in the runoff,[46] and faced the Democratic nominee, former Oklahoma's 5th congressional district Congresswoman Kendra Horn, in the November 8 general election. Mullin defeated Horn.[47]

Political positions

2020 presidential election results

In December 2020, Mullin was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump.[48] The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[49][50][51]

When campaigning for the 2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma, Mullin supported the claim the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump.[52]

Abortion

Mullin supports making abortion illegal in all circumstances, even in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's life is at risk. During the 2022 Republican runoff debate, he claimed that if his wife's life were at risk during a pregnancy, neither he nor his wife would want to get an abortion.[53]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
3 matches 3 wins 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
By submission 2 0

[54]

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 3–0 Clinton Bonds TKO (punches) XFL April 7, 2007 2 1:27 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 2–0 Clinton Bonds Submission (armbar) XFL Superbrawl February 3, 2007 2 N/A Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 1–0 Bobby Kelley Submission (rear-naked choke) XFL November 11, 2006 1 0:46 Miami, Oklahoma, United States

Personal life

Mullin and his wife, Christie, live in Westville, a few miles from the Arkansas border, and have six children.[2] He is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation.[55] Mullin is one of five Native Americans serving in the 117th Congress. The others are Tom Cole (Chickasaw Nation),[56] Yvette Herrell (Cherokee Nation),[57] Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk Nation), and Alaska Native Mary Peltola (Yup'ik). He is the first Native American senator elected to Congress in nearly two decades.[58]

Electoral history

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2022)

2012

2014

2014 Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district general election[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Markwayne Mullin (incumbent) 110,925 70.0
Democratic Earl Everett 38,964 24.6
Independent Jon Douthitt 8,518 5.4
Total votes 158,407 100.0

2016

2018

2020

2022

2022 Oklahoma United States Senate Republican primary special election[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Markwayne Mullin 156,087 43.62%
Republican T. W. Shannon 62,746 17.53%
Republican Nathan Dahm 42,673 11.92%
Republican Luke Holland 40,353 11.28%
Republican Scott Pruitt 18,052 5.04%
Republican Randy J. Grellner 15,794 4.41%
Republican Laura Moreno 6,597 1.84%
Republican Jessica Jean Garrison 6,114 1.71%
Republican Alex Gray (withdrew) 3,063 0.86%
Republican John F. Tompkins 2,332 0.65%
Republican Adam Holley 1,873 0.52%
Republican Michael Coibion 1,261 0.35%
Republican Paul Royse 900 0.25%
Total votes 357,845 100.0%
2022 Oklahoma United States Senate Republican runoff special election[61]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Markwayne Mullin 183,118 65.08%
Republican T. W. Shannon 98,246 34.92%
Total votes 281,364 100.0%
2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma[62]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Markwayne Mullin 710,643 61.8%
Democratic Kendra Horn 405,389 35.2%
Libertarian Robert Murphy 17,386 1.5%
Independent Ray Woods 17,063 1.5% N/A
Total votes 1,150,481 100%

References

  1. ^ "Markwayne Mullin wins US Senate seat". Indian Country Today. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Markwayne Mullin". Roll Call. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012.
  3. ^ "Markwayne Mullin Tapped to Give National Republican Address | .Politics". Blog.newsok.com. October 16, 2012. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  4. ^ MULLIN, Markwayne, (1977 - ) Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. 1774-Present. Retrieved April 13, 2017
  5. ^ "Markwayne Mullin wins District 2 Congressional seat". KJRH 2. Scripps TV Station Group. November 7, 2012. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  6. ^ "Meet the Mullin Family". Markwayne Mullin for Congress. Archived from the original on June 14, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  7. ^ Casteel, Chris (June 7, 2011). "Oklahoma's U.S. Rep. Dan Boren won't seek re-election in 2012". The Oklahoman. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  8. ^ "Markwayne Mullin makes Congressional bid official". KRMG. September 6, 2011. Archived from the original on May 12, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  9. ^ Archive of Mullin's campaign site from 2012
  10. ^ "June 26 2012 Oklahoma State Election Board Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  11. ^ "August 28 2012 Oklahoma State Election Board Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  12. ^ "November 06 2012 Oklahoma State Election Board Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  13. ^ Krehbiel, Mark (November 7, 2012). "Republican Markwayne Mullin voted into 2nd District Seat". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  14. ^ a b Wingerter, Justin (July 8, 2017). "Coburn will work to oust Mullin after congressman breaks term limit pledge". Oklahoman.com. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  15. ^ "Official Results - General Election — November 8, 2016". Oklahoma Secretary of State. November 8, 2016. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  16. ^ Krehbiel, Randy. "Markwayne Mullin to seek fourth term, explains why he's breaking three-term campaign pledge". Tulsa World. Tulsa World. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  17. ^ "JUNE 26 2018 Oklahoma State Election Board Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  18. ^ "November 06 2018 Oklahoma State Election Board Official Resutls". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "June 26 2018 Oklahoma State Election Board Official Results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "November 03 2020 Oklahoma State Election Board Official Results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  21. ^ "H.R. 4002 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  22. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  23. ^ Vladimirov, Nikita (April 13, 2017). "GOP rep: 'Bullcrap' to say taxpayers pay my salary". The Hill. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  24. ^ "Representative Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma, 2nd) - Staff salaries from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  25. ^ "Roll Call 86 Roll Call 86, Bill Number: H. R. 1620, 117th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. March 17, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  26. ^ Davis, Susan (March 17, 2021). "House Renews Violence Against Women Act, But Senate Hurdles Remain". NPR. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  27. ^ Hulse, Carl (March 6, 2021). "After Stimulus Victory in Senate, Reality Sinks in: Bipartisanship Is Dead". New York Times.
  28. ^ "We do not need farmers and ranchers, small business owners, and teachers in Oklahoma paying the debts of Ivy League lawyers and doctors across the U.S. This places undue burden on those already suffering due to the weight of Biden's failed economic policy". Twitter. August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  29. ^ "Congressman Markwayne Mullin had over $1.4 million in PPP loans forgiven". Twitter. August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  30. ^ Willis, Moiz Syed,Derek (July 7, 2020). "MULLIN SERVICES INC - Tracking PPP". ProPublica. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  31. ^ Willis, Moiz Syed,Derek (July 7, 2020). "MULLIN ENVIRONMENTAL INC - Tracking PPP". ProPublica. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  32. ^ Willis, Moiz Syed,Derek (July 7, 2020). "MULLIN PLUMBING INC - Tracking PPP". ProPublica. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  33. ^ Willis, Moiz Syed,Derek (July 7, 2020). "MULLIN PLUMBING WEST DIVISION INC - Tracking PPP". ProPublica. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  34. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 113". clerk.house.gov. May 28, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  35. ^ Willis, Derek (August 12, 2015). "H.R.6782: To require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to submit a report on recipients of assistance under the paycheck protection program and the economic injury disaster loan program, and for other purposes". ProPublica. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  36. ^ Enriquez, Keri. "Republican members of Congress refuse to wear masks during Capitol insurrection". CNN. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  37. ^ Beavers, Olivia (January 21, 2021). "How lawmakers trapped in the House stood their ground". POLITICO. Retrieved February 1, 2021.((cite web)): CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ^ Cathey, Libby; Thorbecke, Catherine; Winsor, Morgan; Sanchez, Rosa (January 7, 2021). "Congressman recalls moment woman was shot inside Capitol building". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 7, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  39. ^ Melendez, Pilar; Bredderman, William; Montgomery, Blake (January 8, 2021). "'Didn't Have a Choice': Vet Was Climbing Through Broken Window When She Was Shot Dead". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  40. ^ Beckett, Lois; Ho, Vivian (January 9, 2021). "'She was deep into it': Ashli Babbitt, killed in Capitol riot, was devoted conspiracy theorist". The Guardian. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021.
  41. ^ Pager, Tyler; Hudson, John (August 31, 2021). "Oklahoma congressman threatened embassy staff as he tried to enter Afghanistan, U.S. officials say". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  42. ^ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  43. ^ "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  44. ^ https://ktul.com/news/local/markwayne-mullin-announces-run-for-us-senate
  45. ^ https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2022/06/28/mullin-shannon-head-gop-runoff-race-inhofe-seat/7697900001/
  46. ^ https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/rep-markwayne-mullin-wins-u-s-senate-gop-runoff-in-deep-red-oklahoma
  47. ^ https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2022/11/09/republican-markwayne-mullin-wins-race-to-replace-sen-jim-inhofe/69611629007/
  48. ^ "List: The 126 House members, 19 states and 2 imaginary states that backed Texas' challenge to Trump defeat". The Mercury News. Bay Area News Group. December 15, 2020.
  49. ^ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  50. ^ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  51. ^ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  52. ^ Skelley, Geofrey (August 23, 2022). "13 Races To Watch In Florida And Oklahoma". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  53. ^ Patterson, Matt (August 3, 2022). "Senate debate: Mullin, Shannon pitch national abortion ban, differ on Ukraine". NonDoc. Retrieved August 26, 2022. “When it comes to the death of the mother or the child, I can tell you without question where my wife would be on this,” Mullin said. “There’s no way my wife would sit and say that my life is more important than my child. Just like I would lay my life down for my child in a heartbeat, my wife would do the same.”
  54. ^ Sherdog.com. "Markwayne Mullin MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  55. ^ "This Cherokee congressman is for Trump – and Indian Country", High Country News
  56. ^ Bogado, Aura (March 1, 2013). "Why Does Congress's Only Cherokee Member Keep Voting Against VAWA?". The Nation. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  57. ^ New Mexico becomes first state to elect all women of color to the House of Representatives
  58. ^ Hawkins, Derek; Subramaniam, Shikha; Garl; Potts. "Meet the newcomers in Congress, including 12 elected officials who have no government experience". Washington Post. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  59. ^ "Oklahoma Secretary of State 2014 General Election". Oklahoma Secretary of State. November 4, 2014. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  60. ^ "June 28 2022". okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  61. ^ "OK Election Results - August 23, 2022". Oklahoma State Election Board.
  62. ^ "November 08 2022 Oklahoma Unofficial Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 9, 2022.

External links

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U.S. House of Representatives Preceded byDan Boren Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district 2013–present Incumbent Party political offices Preceded byJim Inhofe Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Oklahoma(Class 2) 2022 Most recent U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) Preceded byGrace Meng United States representatives by seniority 177th Succeeded byScott Perry
Oklahoma's current delegation to the United States Congress
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Oklahoma's delegation(s) to the 113th–present United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)
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