Markwayne Mullin is an American politician, businessman, and citizen of the Cherokee Nation who has served as Oklahoma’s junior United States senator since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in a 2022 special election to complete the remainder of Sen. Jim Inhofe’s term after nearly a decade representing Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District (2013–2023).
Raised in eastern Oklahoma, Mullin took over his family plumbing business in his early 20s and later expanded into multiple family companies. He earned an associate degree in construction technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology and is known for emphasizing a “businessman, not a politician” identity.
In the Senate, Mullin leans into a combative, populist brand: hardline on border enforcement, strongly pro–oil and gas, and aggressively anti-regulation. He also highlights rural infrastructure priorities and Native affairs, and has noted his role as the first Native American U.S. senator since 2005 and one of the few Cherokee citizens elected to the Senate.
Mullin has drawn recurring attention for headline confrontations, including a high-profile clash with Teamsters President Sean O’Brien in a Senate HELP Committee hearing, and for Trump-aligned positioning on key culture-war and election narratives.
Right Wing Populist
Committee Assignments
Caucus Memberships
Achievements
- Won the 2022 Oklahoma special election and became Oklahoma’s junior senator in 2023.
- Built a high-visibility “outsider” brand rooted in small business, trades, and rural Oklahoma priorities.
- Sustained advocacy for oil & gas production and anti-regulatory energy policy aligned with Oklahoma’s industry base.
- Elevated Native representation nationally as a Cherokee Nation citizen and a rare Native American member of the U.S. Senate.
- Maintained a strong constituent-services posture focused on infrastructure, disaster response, and regional development in eastern Oklahoma.
Controversies
- Drew national attention for repeated public clashes with labor leaders, including a televised confrontation with Teamsters President Sean O’Brien at a Senate hearing.
- Faced criticism for supporting Trump-aligned claims about the 2020 election while running in 2022.
- Scrutiny over business entanglements and ethics boundaries stemming from his prior companies and brand-driven promotion.
- Hardline abortion posture (including opposition even in rape or incest cases) drew sustained backlash from reproductive-rights groups.
- Generated negative headlines over combative rhetoric and “tough-guy” political styling that critics argue degrades Senate norms.
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Energy | $104,950 | $56,450 | $48,500 |
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $89,000 | $89,000 | $0 |
| Blue Cross/Blue Shield | $84,750 | $1,750 | $83,000 |
| Ameristate Bank | $70,110 | $70,110 | $0 |
| Hilliary Communications | $65,650 | $65,650 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2022 Margin R +26.3%