The youngest of seven children, Mullin was raised in the small Adair County community of Westville. Mullin is an eastern Oklahoma native, successful businessman, rancher, and family man.

Shortly after Mullin graduated from Stilwell High School, his father fell ill and the family’s small plumbing company encountered financial troubles. Markwayne was only 20 years old but he and his wife, Christie, took over with only six employees. They had never run a business, but Mullin's dad had taught him the value of hard work and discipline. Mullin stabilized the company and grew it into one of the largest service companies in the tri-state area. Today, it is only one of several successful companies they own and operate. Mullin is proud to have turned a family trade into a thriving business that employs over 120 Oklahomans. He also continues to run his cattle ranch in Westville.

Mullin was a high school athlete and went to college on a wrestling scholarship before returning home to run the family business. He’s also a rodeo and a martial arts enthusiast and is an avid hunter. He’s been married to Christie, his high school sweetheart, for 15 years and they have three children, Jim, Andrew, and Larra.

Mullin's victory puts him in rare territory. Mullin is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. When the 113th Congress convenes in January 2013, he will be the second Native American in the House -- the other being Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation.