— Reversing President Barack Obama’s “socialist agenda” is the stated priority of a Westville businessman who is seeking the Republican Party’s nomination in the 2nd Congressional District race.

Markwayne Mullin, one of six candidates for the nomination, said he never thought of running for public office until he became “fed up with the system.” Mullin cited the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act and the “endless amount of new regulations” as sources of his frustration.

“We have ventured too far from the framework laid down by our Founding Fathers,” Mullin said. “I decided that for the next six years — before I abide by my term limit — I want to join the fight to stop deficit spending and curb job-killing regulations crippling the economy.”

Mullin warned that if nothing is done immediately to address his concerns, they will be left “to our kids (to deal with) later.”

“I would give everything that I have to prevent my children from having to carry these burdens a single day,” he said. “Our veterans sacrificed their lives to secure our freedoms, and I think it’s extremely selfish for this generation to lack the discipline to simply live within our means.”

If elected, Mullin said he would do everything he can do to reduce the cost of doing business in the country. He said regulatory compliance costs his company 40 cents for every dollar it brings in.

“That’s money that small businesses like mine could use to grow our business and create new jobs,” he said. “Instead, we’re feeding an ever-growing federal government that is getting hungrier all the time.”

Mullin cited his lack of political experience as his strong suit, saying his business experience would be more of a benefit to his would-be constituents.

“For too long, we’ve sent career politicians with no real world experience to represent us in Washington, D.C., and it’s time for that to change,” Mullin said, citing the growth of his company from six to 120 employees. “I know what it takes to create jobs, and I will take private sector experience and conservative rural values and apply them to Washington.”

Mullin has five opponents in the June 26 primary election: state Rep. George Faught of Muskogee, former state Rep. Wayne Pettigrew of McAlester, Tishomingo lawyer Dustin Rowe, Muskogee pastor Dwayne Thompson and Dakota Wood, a retired Marine Corps officer from Claremore. An Aug. 28 runoff election is anticipated.

Federal Election Commission records through March 31 show Mullin has outpaced his competitors in fundraising. He was the first Republican to enter the fray after U.S. Rep. Dan Boren that he would not seek a fifth term.

Critics allege that Mullin accepted contributions that exceed legal limits and used Mullin Plumbing commercials to promote his campaign. FEC investigators reportedly are reviewing a complaint about these matters.

Through the end of the first quarter, which ended March 31, Mullin’s campaign reported $667,347 in contributions from 474 donors. Of that total, $220,217, or 33 percent, came from Mullin’s pockets. Political action committees representing bankers, builders and contractors contributed $8,500.

At the end of the first quarter, Mullin’s campaign reported $234,623 in expenditures, with $432,724 on hand and debts of $200,000. Candidates are to file their second-quarter reports by July 15.

The GOP nominee will face a Democrat and an independent candidate in the general election Nov. 6. The Democrats in the race are Earl E. Everett of Fort Gibson, Muskogee businessman Wayne Herriman and former state and federal prosecutor Rob Wallace of Fort Gibson. The independent candidate is Michael G. Fulks of Heavener.

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com.

Meet Markwayne Mullin

OFFICE SOUGHT: Republican nomination in the 2nd Congressional District.

AGE: 34

HOMETOWN: Westville.

FAMILY: Wife, Christie; three children, Jim, Andrew and Larra.

OCCUPATION: Owner of Mullin Plumbing.

EDUCATION: Associate’s degree in business, Oklahoma State University, Okmulgee.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Christian.

HOBBIES: Spending time with my family, hunting and shooting.

Key dates

• June 20 — Last day to request absentee ballot for primary election.

• June 22 — Early voting, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• June 23 — Early voting, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• June 25 — Early voting,  8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• June 26 — Primary election.

• Aug. 28 — Runoff primary election.

• Nov. 6 — General election.