Cindy O'Laughlin
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cindy O'Laughlin is an American politician. She was elected to Missouri's 18th Senatorial District in 2018, and as President Pro Tempore since 2025.[1][2]
Cindy O'Laughlin | |
|---|---|
| President pro tempore of the Missouri Senate | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Caleb Rowden |
| Majority Leader of the Missouri Senate | |
| In office January 4, 2023 – January 8, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Caleb Rowden |
| Succeeded by | Tony Luetkemeyer |
| Member of the Missouri Senate from the 18th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Brian Munzlinger |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | University of Missouri, Columbia (BBA) |
Prior to being elected to the Missouri Senate, O’Laughlin served as a member of the Shelby County R-IV School District and the Treasurer of the Missouri Club for Growth.[3]
Career
O’Laughlin served as vice president and co-owner of Leo O’Laughlin, Inc, a trucking company and ready-mix concrete business. She also worked as a school bus driver and administrator at a Christian school. She has participated in various civic organizations such as the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Shelby County Economic Development Board, the Associated Builders and Contractors, and the Missouri Club for Growth.[1]
In October 2017, O’Laughlin announced her candidacy for state senate.[4] She won the Republican primary against three other candidates. She successfully ran against Democrat Crystal Stevens in the November election.[5]
O’Laughlin serves as the chair of the Missouri Senate Committee on Education and also the Missouri General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Education.[6]
Tenure
On July 6, 2021, O'Laughlin visited the Schuyler County Courthouse in Lancaster. The goal of the visit was to let residents talk about current Missouri issues. Topics brought up included gun rights, broadband and road infrastructure. Residents also talked about Medicaid, which had been approved by Missouri the previous month.[7]
On joining the Senate, O'Laughlin was initially a member of the conservative caucus, but left in 2021 due to their disruptive tactics. In 2023, she was the first woman elected as majority leader of the Missouri Senate.[8] In 2025, she was the first woman to serve as Missouri Senate president pro tem.[9]
Abortion
In 2025, O'Laughlin supported a measure to reverse a constitutional amendment passed by a majority of Missouri voters the previous year. As pro-tem, she facilitated the interruption of oppositional filibuster using an uncommon procedural move. O'Laughlin told media that the measure was a compromise for officials who campaign on opposing access to abortion.[10]
Healthcare
O’Laughlin was an early opponent of state and national lockdowns as it related to the COVID-19 pandemic and advocated for the state to allow visitors to return to nursing homes.[11] An editorial by The Kansas City Star called her advice “dangerous.”[11][12][13]
In 2022, she opposed the Joe Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine requirements for health care workers.[14]
Education
O’Laughlin serves as the chair of the Missouri Senate Committee on Education and also the Missouri General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Education. She has sponsored legislation to expand charter schools and is a supporter of school choice.[1] Prior to being elected to the Missouri Senate, O’Laughlin served as a member of the school board at her local public school and as an administrator at a local private school.
In 2020, O’Laughlin sponsored legislation to require transgender high school athletes to compete based on their assigned sex at birth.[15]
Sick leave
O'Laughlin opposed sick leave provisions in a ballot measure passed by a majority of Missouri voters in 2024, calling required sick leave for employees an "economic bomb." The provision was upheld by Missouri Supreme Court.[16]
Personal life
O'Laughlin lives in Shelbina, Missouri. She has four sons, a foster daughter and seven grandchildren, and a passion for basset hounds.[1]
Electoral history
2018 Primary
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Cindy O'Laughlin | 9,893 | 36.70% | |
| Republican | Craig Redmon | 7,236 | 26.84% | |
| Republican | Nate Walker | 5,340 | 19.81% | |
| Republican | Lindell F. Shumake | 4,489 | 16.65% | |
| Margin of victory | 2,657 | 9.86% | ||
| Total votes | 26,958 | 100.0% | ||
2018 General Election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Cindy O'Laughlin | 46,225 | 70.30% | ||
| Democratic | Crystal Stephens | 19,528 | 29.70% | ||
| Margin of victory | 26,697 | 40.60% | |||
| Total votes | 65,753 | 100.0% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
2022 General Election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Cindy O'Laughlin | 42,989 | 75.78% | +5.48 | |
| Democratic | Ayanna Shivers | 13,739 | 24.22% | −5.48 | |
| Total votes | 56,728 | 100.0% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||