A Mullin Challenger (Finally) Emerges
Local pro-angler hopes to ‘reel’ in congressional seat
By Kaylea M. Hutson, Delaware County Journal
Local businessman, rancher and professional angler Darrel Robertson hopes to add a new title to his list of accomplishments: U.S. Congressman.
On Tuesday, Robertson, who along with his wife Carol resides on a cattle ranch between Grove and Jay, signaled his intent to run for Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District, the seat currently held by incumbent Markwayne Mullin.
Robertson said he plans to run because of concern for the future of his children and grandchildren, including their ability to have careers upon completing their education.
“Washington is broken and continues to spend the money of Oklahoma’s children and grandchildren,” said Robertson in a written statement. “I look forward to spending the next week talking to the people of this district before announcing my plans to help get our country back on track.”
In his statement, Robertson cited the ethics investigation Mullin is currently facing in Washington, D.C. Mullin, who is from Westville, is in his first term in the house and was elected in November 2012.
“Those that seek political power ultimately become corrupted by it,” said Robertson, in the statement announcing his candidacy. “The goal of a congressman should be to go to Congress for a few years, take tough stands for the people of the district, and return home for good having done the work necessary to make our nation a place of greater opportunities for the next generation.”
Robertson said he does not plan to make a formal announcement until next week. However rumors of his possible entry into the race prompted him to clarify his intentions to run.
In recent days, Robertson indicated he has spoken to several Republican gatherings and plans to tour the district in the coming week.
Robertson told GrandLakeNews.com he will retire from professional fishing if elected to the congressional seat. He currently competes on the Walmart FLW Tour. He has been a professional member of the FLW for 18 years.
“It would be good and bad on both ends of [the election outcome],” Robertson said.
Mullin was in Delaware County on Tuesday, conducting several “meet-and-greet” events with local officials and business owners.
When asked about Robertson’s potential candidacy for his seat, Mullin simply said “everybody has a right to run” and indicated he wished his opponent the best.
Earlier this month, the House Ethics Committee announced it would consider an investigation into Mullin for a possible ethics violation. The statement released by the ethics committee notes that considering an investigation does not indicate any violation has occurred.
“Mr. Robertson is referring to an issue that defines the very nature of our government: whether Markwayne Mullin can continue running his family business just as he has for the past 17 years, while still serving in Congress,” said Kaleb Bennett, a spokesman for the campaign. “Just like a committee of politicians harassed Dr. Tom Coburn many years ago and said he couldn’t deliver babies, now they are trying to say that Markwayne Mullin shouldn’t be allowed to run the very business he built.
“Maybe Mr. Robertson agrees with the politicians in D.C., and believes Congress is a place for only professional politicians who have no idea what it’s like to run a business and create jobs. Markwayne Mullin flat out disagrees. He is fighting to be a true citizen legislator who serves in Congress to represent Oklahoma, but then returns home to run his business so he can live under the laws he voted on.”