Markwayne Mullin, the Republican candidate for Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional district, continues to maintain he didn't know he benefited from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Two plumbing businesses owned by Mullin received about $370,000 in ARRA funds through contracts from the Cherokee Nation and the Muscogee Nation. The contracts with the Cherokee Nation clearly state the money is coming from the stimulus, the Associated Press reported.

"We have some great people who put these bids together and submit them, so I don't see the details," Mullin told the AP in response. On the campaign trail, he has described ARRA as "horrible waste of tax dollars."

Mullin is reported to be a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The biography on his website does not mention his Indian ancestry.

Mullin is back on the campaign trail after being hospitalized for a torn esophagus.

Get the Story:
Mullin bid documents outline source of funds (AP 9/13)
2nd District candidate Mullin is released from hospital (The Tulsa World 9/14)

Related Stories:
In The Hoop: Republican candidate keeps Cherokee on the down-low (9/7)
Republican who criticizes stimulus received funds from stimulus (9/6)