Dan Laughlin

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = File:Dan Laughlin 2022 (cropped).jpg

| name = Dan Laughlin

| caption =

| state = Pennsylvania

| state_senate = Pennsylvania

| district = 49th

| term_start = January 3, 2017

| term_end =

| preceded = Sean Wiley

| party = Republican

| birth_date = {{circa|1962}}

| birth_place = Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| alma_mater =

| profession =

| residence =

|spouse={{marriage|Peggy Schneider|1988}}

|children=3

| religion =

| website =

}}

Daniel J. Laughlin (born {{circa|1962}}) is an American politician currently representing the 49th district in the Pennsylvania State Senate as Republican since 2017.

Early life

Laughlin was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. One of four children of Dave, a World War II veteran and union carpenter, and Shirley, a former plane factory worker, he was raised in Erie Heights housing project.{{cite web |title=Daniel Laughlin |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/senate_bio.cfm?id=1766 |website=Pennsylvania General Assembly |access-date=19 January 2025}} He graduated from Penn State Behrend.{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=A.J. |title=Q&A with Sen. Dan Laughlin: What to know about Republican candidate for 49th Dist., state Senate |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/state/2024/09/20/dan-laughlin-gop-49th-district-pa-senate-incumbent-outlines-goals/75177132007/ |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=Erie Times-News |date=September 22, 2024}}

Business career

Laughlin joined his brother's homebuilding company and later bought into it as a full partner. The brothers would also found companies focusing on trash disposal, foam installation, and rentals.

Political career

Laughlin was first elected to represent the 49th district in the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2016. Laughlin won that election in an upset, defeating incumbent senator Sean Wiley with 53% of the vote.{{cite news |title=Laughlin upsets Wiley to take 49th state Senate seat |url=https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/laughlin-upsets-wiley-to-take-49th-state-senate-seat/ |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=YourErie.com |publisher=Nexstar Media Inc. |date=November 9, 2016}}

Political positions

After deciding not to run for governor of Pennsylvania in 2022, the Erie Times-News surmised Laughlin would have "fashioned himself as a centrist who could win independents, moderate Democrats and Republicans in a field of 'far-right' GOP candidates" had he run. Journalist Katie Meyer wrote that Laughlin would have been "most moderate candidate in the Republican gubernatorial field."{{cite news |last1=Meyer |first1=Katie |title=Shapiro remains lone Dem among crowded field for 2022 Pa. governor’s race |url=https://www.witf.org/2021/09/23/shapiro-remains-lone-dem-among-crowded-field-for-2022-pa-governors-race/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=WIFT |agency=WHYY |date=September 23, 2021}} Despite his affiliation as Republican, Laughlin has occasionally bucked the party's policy position. Unlike most in his party, Laughlin has endorsed the idea of legalized recreational marijuana and increasing the minimum wage. He also opposes changing Pennsylvania's abortions laws.{{cite news |last1=Rink |first1=Matthew |title=Laughlin won't run for PA governor, set to endorse another Republican |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/12/06/dan-laughlin-state-senator-erie-pa-wont-run-governor-endorse-republican-dave-white/8886620002/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Erie Times-News |date=December 6, 2021}}

=2020 presidential election=

Laughlin opposed efforts to audit the 2020 United States presidential election in Pennsylvania, subsequent efforts assemble a slate of fake electors, and the false claims of voter fraud after President Donald Trump lost the election.{{cite news |last1=Laughlin |first1=Dan |title=State Sen. Dan Laughlin: 'Audit' the 2020 election results? Let's be real Republicans. |url=https://triblive.com/opinion/state-sen-dan-laughlin-audit-the-2020-election-results-lets-be-real-republicans/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=TribLIVE |date=July 29, 2021}} Privately, Laughlin referred to legal efforts to overturn the election results as "crap." He also blamed Congressman Mike Kelly for "hurting" the Republican Party by supporting such efforts.{{cite news |last1=Bender |first1=William |last2=McGoldrick |first2=Gillian |title=‘POTUS just called me’: Pa. GOP emails shed new light on 2020 election upheaval |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/trump-pennsylvania-gop-doug-mastriano-voting-machines-20230616.html |access-date=21 June 2023 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=June 16, 2023}} Publicly, Laughlin warned that Republicans' focus on dubious election fraud would only serve to benefit liberal candidates.

==''Erie Reader'' lawsuit==

In August 2022, Laughlin sued the chair of the Erie County Democratic Party, Jim Wertz, as well as the alternative newspaper the Erie Reader, after the Reader published an op-ed written by Wertz which claimed Laughlin was on a presidential pardon request list for those involved in attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election. In the op-ed, Wertz referenced a letter by Congressman Mo Brooks, which said the Congressman had asked then-President Donald Trump for pardons for those who signed "the" amicus brief in the case Texas v. Pennsylvania, which sought to overturn Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election. Wertz also accused Congressman Mike Kelly of being on the same "pardon request list" as Laughlin. In Texas, Kelly and Laughlin signed separate briefs. The brief Laughlin signed stated the signatories were not supporting the plaintiff nor defendant, but were instead informing the court of what they claimed was overreach into the electoral process by the administration of Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court,{{cite news |last1=Palattella |first1=Eric |title=In brief in Texas case, Laughlin says he's not claiming fraud but worried over Pa. action |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/12/10/pa-state-sen-dan-laughlin-gop-colleagues-join-texas-election-case/3886361001/ |access-date=22 January 2025 |work=Erie Times-News |date=December 10, 2020}} whereas the brief Kelly signed explicitly sided with Texas. Laughlin's lawsuit also contended there was never an actual "pardon request list."{{cite news |last1=Rink |first1=Matthew |title=GOP state Sen. Dan Laughlin sues Democratic Party chair, Erie Reader over column |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/08/26/gop-pa-senator-dan-laughlin-sues-jim-wertz-democratic-party-chair-erie-reader/65393370007/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |work=Erie Times-News |date=August 27, 2022}} The incurred court costs led to the bankruptcy of the Reader. The lawsuit was settled in December 2024, with the Reader agreeing to label Wertz's column as an opinion piece with no admission of liability.{{cite news |last1=Palattella |url-access=subscription |first1=Ed |title=Pa. Sen. Laughlin settles libel lawsuit over Erie Reader column with no retraction |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2024/12/13/pa-sen-laughlin-settles-libel-suit-vs-erie-reader-no-monetary-deal-dan-laughlin-jim-wertz/76966026007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=USA Today |agency=Erie Times-News|date=December 15, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Lafferty |first1=Sean |title=Lawsuit settled between Sen. Dan Laughlin, Erie Reader |url=https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/lawsuit-settled-between-sen-dan-laughlin-erie-reader/ |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=YourErie.com |date=December 17, 2024}}

In June 2024, the Reader sued McLaughlin and his wife, Peggy, accusing the couple of removing hundreds of free copies of the publication from public locations.{{cite news |last1=Palatella |first1=Ed |title=Hearing reset in Erie Reader's lawsuit against Pa. state Sen. Laughlin over missing papers |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/19/new-hearing-date-set-in-erie-readers-lawsuit-vs-state-sen-laughlin-jim-wertz-peggy-laughlin/74452732007/ |access-date=21 August 2024 |work=Erie Times-News |date=July 19, 2024}} His wife admitted to removing papers to "prevent maybe somebody from reading all of the ridiculous, unjustified, completely dishonest, unprovoked attacks on my husband." The Reader's suit was dismissed in August.{{cite news |last1=Ulrich |first1=Steve |title=From Behind the Camera to Center Stage: Can Wertz Help Turn PA Senate Blue? |url=https://www.politicspa.com/from-behind-the-camera-to-center-stage-can-wertz-help-turn-pa-senate-blue/138642/ |access-date=29 August 2024 |work=PoliticsPA |date=August 29, 2024}}

=Cannabis=

Laughlin was the first Pennsylvania Republican to endorse the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania.{{cite news|first=Sam|last=Wood|agency=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=February 25, 2021 |title=For the first time, legal marijuana gets Republican Senate support in Pa. |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2021/02/25/For-the-first-time-legal-weed-gets-Republican-senate-support-in-Pa/stories/202102250098 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}} In 2021, Laughlin and State Senator Sharif Street sponsored a bill to legalize cannabis use for individuals over the age of twenty-one. Additionally, the bill would have expunged the criminal records of those with nonviolent marijuana convictions and allowed medical marijuana users to grow no more than five plants in their home.{{cite news |last1=Maisel |first1=Matt |title=FOX43 Capitol Beat: GOP State Senator Dan Laughlin discusses push to legalize marijuana |url=https://www.fox43.com/article/news/politics/fox43-capitol-beat/fox43-capitol-beat-gop-state-senator-dan-laughlin-legalize-marijuana-recreational-pot-weed-pennsylvania/521-fea3a34b-bed0-4c70-95c6-8149767b213f |access-date=22 January 2025 |work=FOX43 |date=March 2, 2021}} Laughlin and Street had previously sponsored a similar bill in 2019.{{cite news |last1=Ye |first1=Ryan |title=Pennsylvania lawmakers renew push to legalize recreational marijuana |url=https://www.fox43.com/article/news/politics/pennsylvania-lawmakers-renew-push-legalize-recreational-marijuana/521-cf28dddc-0cae-45b1-aeb1-ebe0568364b9 |access-date=9 July 2023 |work=FOX43 |date=July 7, 2023}} Laughlin said his support for such a bill came from concern for Pennsylvanians consuming unregulated cannabis from outside the state.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Jan |author1-link=Jan Murphy |title=Bill would allow Pa. patients to get medical marijuana regardless of illness |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/state/2023/07/07/bill-would-allow-pa-patients-to-get-medical-marijuana-act-regardless-of-illness/70383059007/ |access-date=9 July 2023 |work=Erie Times-News |agency=PennLIVE |date=July 7, 2023}} In 2024, Laughlin proposed a bill that would allow medical marijuana users to legally possess a firearm.{{cite news |last1=Hennen |first1=Anthony |title=State senator's bill would align Pa. law with medical marijuana users' firearms rights |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/state/2024/04/26/medical-marijuana-second-amendment-gun-rights-pa-bill-senator-dan-laughlin-uniform-firearms-act/73436936007/ |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Erie Times-News |agency=The Center Square |date=April 27, 2024}}

=Criminal justice=

Laughlin opposes cashless bail. He has also introduced a bill mandating Pennsylvania prosecutors inform U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they have illegal immigrants in custody.{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=A.J. |title=Republican Dan Laughlin re-elected Pennsylvania state senator for 3rd term |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/06/dan-laughlin-republican-incumbent-wins-3rd-term-49th-district-pa-state-senator/76049190007/ |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=Erie Times-News |date=November 6, 2024}}

=Election reform=

Laughlin is a longtime supporter of open primary elections and has repeatedly co-sponsored legislation that would allow independent voters to participate in primary elections.{{cite news |last1=Huangpu |first1=Kate |title=Supporters hope Pa.’s new legislature will embrace open primaries, but at least one big hurdle remains |url=https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/04/pa-primary-election-2023-indepedents-third-party/ |access-date=6 September 2023 |work=Spotlight PA |date=April 4, 2023}}

Laughlin supports voter ID and sponsored a bill that would require mail-in ballots be transported by the U.S. Postal Service, replacing the option of ballot drop boxes.

=Energy=

Laughlin has supported expanding Pennsylvania's use of renewable energy sources, including solar energy.{{cite news |title=Opinion: How Pa. Senate candidate Laughlin answered your questions on taxes, schools, more |url=https://www.goerie.com/story/opinion/columns/2024/10/01/dan-laughlin-erie-county-voting-schools-taxes-pennsylvania-senate-election-brig-niagara-drop-box/75146559007/ |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=Erie Times-News |date=October 23, 2024}}

=Minimum wage=

In 2023, Laughlin introduced a bill that would raise Pennsylvania's $7.25 minimum wage to $11 by the next year and $15 by the following year.{{cite news |last1=Ulrich |first1=Steve |title=Laughlin, Tartaglione Offer Differing Minimum Wage Increase Proposals |url=https://www.politicspa.com/laughlin-tartaglione-offer-differing-minimum-wage-increase-proposals/ |access-date=22 January 2025 |work=PoliticsPA |date=June 1, 2023}}

=Refugees=

In 2021, Laughlin said refugees coming to America from Afghanistan should be "thoroughly vetted," but pushed back against statements by other Republicans who opposed refugee resettlement. Laughlin said that those fleeing Taliban rule should be welcomed to a nation with more freedom than their homeland.{{cite news |last1=Seidman |first1=Andrew |title=Accepting Afghan refugees is the latest issue dividing Pennsylvania Republicans |url=https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/afghanistan-refugees-pennsylvania-republicans-20210831.html |access-date=22 January 2025 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=August 31, 2021}}

Personal life

Laughlin married his wife Peggy Schneider on June 18, 1988. The couple have three children.

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change|title=2016 Pennsylvania Senate election, District 49{{cite web |title=General Election - Official Erie County, PA |url=https://eriecountypa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2016-gen-official.pdf |website=Erie County, Pennsylvania |access-date=24 January 2025 |pages=4-6 |date=November 22, 2016}}

}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Dan Laughlin

|votes=57,790

|percentage=53.44

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Sean Wiley (incumbent)

|votes=50,356

|percentage=46.56

}}{{Election box total no change

|votes=108,146

|percentage=100.00}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

|title=2020 Pennsylvania Senate election, District 49{{cite web |title=2020 General Election Precinct Results |url=https://eriecountypa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Precinct-results-2020-General-Election.xlsx |website=Erie County, Pennsylvania |access-date=24 January 2025}}

}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Dan Laughlin (incumbent)

|votes=69,743

|percentage=59.81

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Julie L. Slomski

|votes=46,867

|percentage=40.19

}}{{Election box total no change|votes=116,610|percentage=100.00}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2024 Pennsylvania Senate election, District 49{{cite web |title=SENATOR IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - DISTRICT 49 |url=https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/PA/Erie/122589/web.345435/#/detail/8 |website=Erie County, PA 2024 General Election |access-date=28 January 2025 |date=December 6, 2024}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party=Republican Party (US)

|candidate=Dan Laughlin (incumbent)

|votes=71,293

|percentage=54.06

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party=Democratic Party (US)

|candidate=Jim Wertz

|votes=60,457

|percentage=45.84

}}{{Election box write-in with party link no change

|party=Write-in