He was born near Miami, Manitoba, the son of Andrew Laughlin and Rachel Bell. His parents had come to Manitoba from Ontario in 1877. Laughtlin was educated in Cartwright, at St. John's College and the University of Manitoba. He articled in law, was called to the Manitoba bar in 1905 and practised law in Cartwright. In 1909, he married Harriet Margaret McKay. Laughlin served as reeve for the Rural Municipality of Roblin. He became the solicitor for the Roblin municipality in 1920 and held this position until his death. Laughlin was also solicitor for the Bank of Toronto.

He was first elected to the Manitoba legislature in the 1927 provincial election, defeating Progressive incumbent Andrew E. Foster by 255 votes in the constituency of Killarney. He lost to Foster by 90 votes in the 1932 election, but defeated him by 509 votes in the campaign of 1936.

In 1940, the Conservatives joined with the governing Liberal-Progressives in a coalition government. Laughlin became a backbench supporter of John Bracken's government, and was re-elected in the 1941 provincial election. He again defeated Andrew E. Foster, who was by this time a dissident Liberal opposing the coalition.