|
Gregory H. Laughlin (b. January 21, 1942) is a politician from the state of Texas.
Laughlin was born in Bay City, Texas and he graduated from Texas A&M University. Laughlin served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970. Laughlin lost his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in 1986 as a Democrat but he was elected in 1988. Laughlin barely won re-election despite allegations involving favortism to a firm several years earlier.
In 1995, the Republican party offered Laughlin a seat on the Ways and Means committee if he joined the Republican Party. Laughlin did so, claming that as a Democrat, he had to make some hard votes. Laughlin was endorsed by Governor George W. Bush, Speaker Newt Gingrich and other Texas Republicans. But, the Republicans in his district were still unhappy with him. His opponent from 1994 and former Congressman Ron Paul both ran against Laughlin. Laughlin won the primary election with 42% of the vote, but he would have to face Paul in a run-off election. Paul defeated Laughlin by a 56%-44% margin in the run-off election.
|
