Dan Laughlin

Dan Laughlin
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 49th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded bySean Wiley
Personal details
Bornc. 1962
Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Peggy Schneider
​
(m. 1988)​
Children3

Daniel J. Laughlin[1] (born c. 1962[2]) 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.[3] He graduated from Penn State Behrend.[2]

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.[3]

Political career

Laughlin was first elected to represent the 49th district in the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2016.[3] Laughlin won that election in an upset, defeating incumbent senator Sean Wiley with 53% of the vote.[4]

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.[5] Journalist Katie Meyer wrote that Laughlin would have been "most moderate candidate in the Republican gubernatorial field."[6] 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.[5]

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.[7][8] 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.[9] Publicly, Laughlin warned that Republicans' focus on dubious election fraud would only serve to benefit liberal candidates.[8]

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.[10] 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,[11] whereas the brief Kelly signed explicitly sided with Texas. Laughlin's lawsuit also contended there was never an actual "pardon request list."[10] The incurred court costs led to the bankruptcy of the Reader.[12] 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.[13][14]

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.[15] 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.[12]

Cannabis

Laughlin was the first Pennsylvania Republican to endorse the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania.[16] In 2021, Laughlin and State Senator Sharif Street sponsored a bill to legalize cannabis use for individuals over the age of twenty-one.[17] 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.[18] Laughlin and Street had previously sponsored a similar bill in 2019.[17] Laughlin said his support for such a bill came from concern for Pennsylvanians consuming unregulated cannabis from outside the state.[19] In 2024, Laughlin proposed a bill that would allow medical marijuana users to legally possess a firearm.[20]

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.[21]

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.[22]

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.[7]

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.[23]

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.[24]

Personal life

Laughlin married his wife Peggy Schneider on June 18, 1988. The couple have three children.[3]

Electoral history

2016 Pennsylvania Senate election, District 49[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Laughlin 57,790 53.44
Democratic Sean Wiley (incumbent) 50,356 46.56
Total votes 108,146 100.00
2020 Pennsylvania Senate election, District 49[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Laughlin (incumbent) 69,743 59.81
Democratic Julie L. Slomski 46,867 40.19
Total votes 116,610 100.00

References

  1. ^ a b "General Election - Official Erie County, PA" (PDF). Erie County, Pennsylvania. November 22, 2016. pp. 4–6. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Rao, A.J. (September 22, 2024). "Q&A with Sen. Dan Laughlin: What to know about Republican candidate for 49th Dist., state Senate". Erie Times-News. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d "Daniel Laughlin". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  4. ^ "Laughlin upsets Wiley to take 49th state Senate seat". YourErie.com. Nexstar Media Inc. November 9, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  5. ^ a b Rink, Matthew (December 6, 2021). "Laughlin won't run for PA governor, set to endorse another Republican". Erie Times-News. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  6. ^ Meyer, Katie (September 23, 2021). "Shapiro remains lone Dem among crowded field for 2022 Pa. governor's race". WIFT. WHYY. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Opinion: How Pa. Senate candidate Laughlin answered your questions on taxes, schools, more". Erie Times-News. October 23, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  8. ^ a b Laughlin, Dan (July 29, 2021). "State Sen. Dan Laughlin: 'Audit' the 2020 election results? Let's be real Republicans". TribLIVE. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  9. ^ Bender, William; McGoldrick, Gillian (June 16, 2023). "'POTUS just called me': Pa. GOP emails shed new light on 2020 election upheaval". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Rink, Matthew (August 27, 2022). "GOP state Sen. Dan Laughlin sues Democratic Party chair, Erie Reader over column". Erie Times-News. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  11. ^ Palattella, Eric (December 10, 2020). "In brief in Texas case, Laughlin says he's not claiming fraud but worried over Pa. action". Erie Times-News. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Ulrich, Steve (August 29, 2024). "From Behind the Camera to Center Stage: Can Wertz Help Turn PA Senate Blue?". PoliticsPA. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  13. ^ Palattella, Ed (December 15, 2024). "Pa. Sen. Laughlin settles libel lawsuit over Erie Reader column with no retraction". USA Today. Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  14. ^ Lafferty, Sean (December 17, 2024). "Lawsuit settled between Sen. Dan Laughlin, Erie Reader". YourErie.com. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  15. ^ Palatella, Ed (July 19, 2024). "Hearing reset in Erie Reader's lawsuit against Pa. state Sen. Laughlin over missing papers". Erie Times-News. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  16. ^ Wood, Sam (February 25, 2021). "For the first time, legal marijuana gets Republican Senate support in Pa". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  17. ^ a b Ye, Ryan (July 7, 2023). "Pennsylvania lawmakers renew push to legalize recreational marijuana". FOX43. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  18. ^ Maisel, Matt (March 2, 2021). "FOX43 Capitol Beat: GOP State Senator Dan Laughlin discusses push to legalize marijuana". FOX43. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  19. ^ Murphy, Jan (July 7, 2023). "Bill would allow Pa. patients to get medical marijuana regardless of illness". Erie Times-News. PennLIVE. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Hennen, Anthony (April 27, 2024). "State senator's bill would align Pa. law with medical marijuana users' firearms rights". Erie Times-News. The Center Square. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  21. ^ Rao, A.J. (November 6, 2024). "Republican Dan Laughlin re-elected Pennsylvania state senator for 3rd term". Erie Times-News. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  22. ^ Huangpu, Kate (April 4, 2023). "Supporters hope Pa.'s new legislature will embrace open primaries, but at least one big hurdle remains". Spotlight PA. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  23. ^ Ulrich, Steve (June 1, 2023). "Laughlin, Tartaglione Offer Differing Minimum Wage Increase Proposals". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  24. ^ Seidman, Andrew (August 31, 2021). "Accepting Afghan refugees is the latest issue dividing Pennsylvania Republicans". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  25. ^ "2020 General Election Precinct Results". Erie County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 24, 2025.

Read other articles:

Max Fleischer

American animator and inventor (1883–1972) This article is about the Polish-American animation pioneer. For the German painter and botanist, see Max Fleischer (painter). Max FleischerFleischer in 1919BornMajer Fleischer(1883-07-19)July 19, 1883Kraków, Galicia, Austria-Hungary (now Poland)DiedSeptember 25, 1972(1972-09-25) (aged 89)Los Angeles, California, U.S.OccupationsAnimatorinventorfilm directorfilm producerYears active1918–1962Known forCreation of Betty Boop, inventio...

 

Achmad Iqbal

Halaman artikel ini diterjemahkan, sebagian atau seluruhnya, dari halaman di en.wikipedia yang berjudul (Tolong cantumkan nama artikel sumber terjemahan). Lihat pula sejarah suntingan halaman aslinya untuk melihat daftar penulisnya. Dr. Ir. H.Achmad IqbalM.Si. [[Rektor Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Purwokerto]] 3PetahanaMulai menjabat 2022 PendahuluProf. Dr. Rochadi Abdulhadi, M.SiPenggantiPetahana[[Rektor Universitas Jenderal Soedirman]] 10Masa jabatan2014 – 2018 Pendahu...

 

Asian American movement

Sociopolitical movement The Asian American Movement was a sociopolitical movement in which the widespread grassroots effort of Asian Americans affected racial, social and political change in the U.S., reaching its peak in the late 1960s to mid-1970s. During this period Asian Americans promoted anti-war and anti-imperialist activism, directly opposing what was viewed as an unjust Vietnam war. The American Asian Movement (AAM) differs from previous Asian American activism due to its emphasis on...

Max van Berchem

Max van Berchem Max van Berchem adalah seorang ahli epigraf dan intelektual orientalis berkebangsaan Swiss. Ia lahir di Jenewa, Swiss pada 16 Maret 1863 dan wafat pada 7 Maret 1921 di Vaumarcus, Swiss. Ia dikenal sebagai orang yang mempelopori epigrafi Arab dan kolektor prasasti Arab.[1] Pendidikan Riwayat pendidikan van Berchem dimulai di kota kelahirannya, Jenewa. Setelah lulus sekolah, van Berchem melanjutkan kuliah ke tiga kota di Jerman, yakni; Leipzig, Strasbourg, dan Berlin. Ia...

 

1938 Soviet Union regional elections

Legislative election in the Soviet Union1938 Soviet Union regional elections June 1938 1939 →   First party Second party Third party   Leader Mir Jafar Baghirov Grigory Arutinov Panteleimon Ponomarenko Party AzKP(b) ArCP(b) KPB(b) Leader since November 1933 23 September 1937 18 June 1938 Seats won 310 / 310 340 / 340 273 / 273   Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party   Leader Lavrentiy Beria Nikolay Skvortsov Aleksey Vagov Party CNG(b) KPKaz(b) KPK(b) Le...

 

The Harlequin (novel)

For novels titled Harlequin, see Harlequin (disambiguation) § Novels. This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The Harlequin AuthorLaurell K. HamiltonCover artistCraig WhiteCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishSeriesAnita Blake: Vampire HunterGenreHorror,...

Diamagnétisme

Démonstration de la lévitation du carbone pyrolytique au-dessus d'aimants permanents. Le carbone pyrolithique étant un matériau similaire au graphite, est donc un des matériaux possédant l'une des plus grandes susceptibilités diamagnétiques connues. Lévitation d'une grenouille vivante dans un champ magnétique de 16 teslas. Le diamagnétisme est un comportement des matériaux qui les conduit, lorsqu'ils sont soumis à un champ magnétique, à créer une très faible aimantation oppos...

 

East Asian religions

Not to be confused with Eastern religions. Worship ceremony at the Great Temple of Yandi Shennong in Suizhou, Hubei – an example of Chinese folk religion Main hall of the City of the Eight Symbols in Qi County, Hebi, the headquarters of the Weixinist Church in Henan. Weixinism is a Chinese salvationist religion. In the study of comparative religion, the East Asian religions or Taoic religions,[1][better source needed] form a subset of the Eastern religions. This g...

 

ساندرا تيكسيرا

هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إليها في مقالات متعلقة بها. (أبريل 2019) ساندرا تيكسيرا معلومات شخصية الميلاد 13 مارس 1978 (46 سنة)  مواطنة البرتغال  الحياة العملية المهنة منافسة ألعاب القوى  اللغة الأم البرتغالية  اللغات ال...

Fumiyo Kohinata

Fumiyo KohinataLahir23 Januari 1954 (umur 70)Mikasa, Hokkaido, JepangPekerjaanAktorTahun aktif1977–sekarangAnakSeiichi Kohinata Fumiyo Kohinata (小日向 文世code: ja is deprecated , Kohinata Fumiyo, lahir 23 Januari 1964) adalah seorang aktor asal Jepang.[1] Filmografi Film Begging for Love (1998) Give It All (1998) Ring 2 (1999) - Dr. Kawajiri Audition (1999) - Television producer Minna no Ie (2001) Turn (2001) Dark Water (2002) - Kunio Hamada The Mars Canon (2002) -...

 

1942 Maldon by-election

1942 Maldon by-election ← 1935 25 June 1942 1945 → Constituency of MaldonTurnout44.4% ( 29.4%)   First party Second party Third party   Candidate Tom Driberg R. J. Hunt Richard Borlase Matthews Party Independent Labour Conservative National Independent and Agricultural Popular vote 12,219 6,226 1,476 Percentage 61.3% 31.3% 7.4% Swing N/A 22.1% N/A MP before election Edward Ruggles-Brise Conservative Elected MP Tom Driberg Independent Labour The 1942 Maldon...

 

Hurricanes (rugby union)

NZ rugby union club, based in Wellington Rugby teamHurricanesUnionNew Zealand Rugby UnionNickname(s)The 'CanesFounded1996; 28 years ago (1996)LocationWellington, New ZealandRegionEast CoastHawke's BayHorowhenua KapitiManawatūPoverty BayWairarapa-BushWhanganuiWellingtonGround(s)Sky Stadium (Capacity: 34,500)Coach(es)Clark LaidlawCaptain(s)Brad ShieldsMost capsTJ Perenara (155)Top scorerBeauden Barrett (1238)League(s)Super Rugby Pacific2024Semi-finalist 1st overall Team kit 2...

Пьяве, Франческо Мария

В Википедии есть статьи о других людях с фамилией Пьяве. В статье не хватает ссылок на источники (см. рекомендации по поиску). Информация должна быть проверяема, иначе она может быть удалена. Вы можете отредактировать статью, добавив ссылки на авторитетные источники в вид�...

 

جورج ميلر (مخرج)

  لمعانٍ أخرى، طالع جورج ميلر (توضيح). جورج ميلر (بالإنجليزية: George Miller)‏  معلومات شخصية الميلاد 3 مارس 1945 (العمر 79 سنة)بريزبان مواطنة أستراليا  مناصب رئيس لجنة التحكيم في مهرجان كان السينمائي   الأخوان كوين  بيدرو ألمودوبار  الحياة العملية المدرسة الأم جامعة...

 

Raising Sand

Raising Sand Студийный альбом Роберта Планта & Элисон Краусс Дата выпуска 23 октября 2007 Место записи Sound Emporium, Nashville, Tennessee, United StatesElectro Magnetic Studios, Los Angeles, California, United StatesThe Village Recorder, Los Angeles, California, United States Sage & Sound, Hollywood, California, United States Жанры Американа, фолк-рок, кантри-рок Длительн...

تشارلز تاونسند (سياسي)

  لمعانٍ أخرى، طالع تشارلز تاونسند (توضيح). هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إليها في مقالات متعلقة بها. (ديسمبر 2020) تشارلز تاونسند (بالإنجليزية: Charles Townsend)‏    معلومات شخصية الميلاد 22 ديسمبر 1834   مقاطعة بلمونت  تاري�...

 

Fifth Crusade

1217–1221 attempted conquest of the Holy Land Fifth CrusadePart of the CrusadesThe Siege of DamiettaDateSeptember 1217 - August 29, 1221LocationSyria and EgyptResult Ayyubid victoryBelligerents Crusaders: Holy Roman Empire Kingdom of Portugal Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of France Levant: Kingdom of Jerusalem Kingdom of Cyprus Latin Empire Military orders: Knights Templar Teutonic Order Knights Hospitaller Muslim forces: AyyubidsCommanders and leaders Andrew II of Hungary Leopold VI of Austri...

 

John Pizzarelli Salutes Johnny Mercer: Live at Birdland

This article is about the Johnny Mercer tribute album. For Pizzarelli's 2003 performance, see Live at Birdland (John Pizzarelli album). 2015 live album by John PizzarelliJohn Pizzarelli Salutes Johnny Mercer: Live at BirdlandLive album by John PizzarelliReleased2015 (2015)Recorded2014 (2014)VenueBirdland, New YorkGenreJazzLabelVectorJohn Pizzarelli chronology Double Exposure(2012) John Pizzarelli Salutes Johnny Mercer: Live at Birdland(2015) Midnight McCartney(2015) John Piz...

Pancasila (Buddhisme)

Halaman ini berisi artikel tentang lima aturan moral dalam Buddhisme. Untuk Pancasila sebagai ideologi negara Indonesia, lihat Pancasila. Plakat dengan lima sila terukir dalam bahasa Inggris, Lumbini, NepalBagian dari seri tentangBuddhisme Istilah Indeks Garis besar SejarahPenyebaran Garis waktu Sidang Buddhis Jalur Sutra Buddhisme awal Prasektarian Aliran Buddhis awal Mahāsāṁghika Sthaviravāda Kitab awal Tripitaka awal Nikāya Āgama Benua Asia Tenggara Asia Timur Asia Tengah Timur Teng...

 

16e parallèle nord

Pour les articles homonymes, voir 16e parallèle. 180° 135°W 90°W 45°W 0° 45°E 90°E 135°E 180°Tracé du parallèle de 16° nord En géographie, le 16e parallèle nord est le parallèle joignant les points de la surface de la Terre dont la latitude est égale à 16° nord. Géographie Dimensions Dans le système géodésique WGS 84, au niveau de 16° de latitude nord, un degré de longitude équivaut à 107,034 km[1] ; la longueur totale du parallèle est donc de 38...