Jan Schneider is no stranger to Southwest Florida’s political scene. She’s a Sarasota attorney who’s run as the Democratic candidate in a solidly Republican part of the state. For the past ten years, Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan has safely held his seat, but now that his Congressional district has been redrawn, a window might open for the persistent Democratic fighter Jan Schneider.
This is Schneider’s fifth bid for Congress in this heavily-Republican area, but 2016 will be the first time either Schneider or Buchanan will compete in the newly-drawn district 16. She’s received much admiration and praise from both the Bradenton Herald and the Tampa Bay Times (both papers endorsed her in her primary bid, which she won vs. Brent King).
Noteworthy from the Bradenton Herald endorsement:
Today, credit her determination to oust the Longboat Key representative and her feisty opposition to his political positions. We certainly admire her spirit.
Buchanan, first elected in 2006, appears bullet-proof running in a decidedly Republican district. But Schneider’s banking on this “crazy political year” to possibly turn her fortunes around — telling the Herald in an April interview that the seat “may not be winnable now, but who can say six months from now? And even if it proves unwinnable, it’s worth doing.”
…
Schneider takes strong and detailed stands against the racism and racial injustice in public education, criminal justice system and financial sectors, among others — as her response to a Herald candidate questionnaire reflects. Access to the ballot box because of voter identification and other electoral laws are a major disenfranchisement issue for minorities, too.
Instead of additional tax cuts for wealthy individuals and rich corporations, she proposes an increase for the top 1 percent, tax relief for the middle class to help reduce income inequality and equal pay for women. Schneider also intends to fight for budget policies that create good jobs by investing in infrastructure, education and clean energy; improving healthcare by reforming Obamacare; adopting stricter gun control laws and comprehensive immigration reforms; protecting the environment and eliminating “unwarranted subsidies” for the fossil fuel and other industries.
Folks, she’s the real deal.
Which is why, as a Floridian who lives just an hour north of Jan’s district, I’m asking you to visit her campaign website as well as make a donation for her. It might be a long shot, but Jan Schneider has shown that she can give Vern Buchanan the fight of his life. Won’t you give a Floridian Democrat a fighting chance?
Thanks much in advance,
boof
P.S. Jan Schneider has the support of 90for90.org, a grassroots organization committed to “Voter Engagement, Education, Activation, and Motivation...until election day and beyond.” Visit 90for90 today!
P.P.S. See HM1028’s fantastic compilation of MORE Florida Dem Congressional candidates you can learn about and support.