In 1795, he sought election to the House of Commons for Berwick but withdrew when he faced a contest that the family could not afford.
[2] As part of this arrangement, Vaughan was elected unopposed for the Cardigan Boroughs constituency.
In 1812, he was opposed by Herbert Evans of Higmead, who was supported by several landed families.
Vaughan won by eighty votes but immediately after the result was announced, Evans alleged that the return was irregular and illegal.
To compound matters he also failed to obtain the post of Lord Lieutenant of Cardiganshire.