Laurie is from South Dakota. She holds both a bachelor's degree in business administration, management, marketing, and accounting and a master's degree in business and health care administration from the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Business and a law degree from Seatle University School of Law.

Laurie works as a senior advisor at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. She previously worked as an assistant attorney general for the Washington Office of the Attorney General.

Laurie Jinkins currently serves as a state representative in State Legislative District 27-Position 1. She was first elected in 2010 and is serving her 6th term. She is the speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives. She is the first woman and first lesbian Speaker of the House.