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U.S. House | District 16

 
Jan Schneider
Jan Schneider
Published July 6, 2018

After a lengthy and contentious redistricting battle, a swath of Hillsborough County south of the Alafia River is now in District 16, a heavily Republican district that also includes all of Manatee County and part of Sarasota County. Incumbent Vern Buchanan of Longboat Key is seeking his sixth term.

About the job: Represents Manatee and Sarasota counties and a portion of Hillsborough County south of the Alafia River. Terms are two years and annual salary is $174,000.

Vern Buchanan

Party:

Republican

Republican

Profession:

Congressman

Congressman

About the candidate:

A native of Detroit, Buchanan, 65, was a businessman for more than three decades before he was elected to Congress in 2006. He made much of his fortune from a printing company and car dealerships. He retains ownership interests in more than two dozen businesses and has substantial real estate holdings, making him one of the wealthiest members of Congress. He served six years in the Air National Guard and sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, trade, health care, welfare and Social Security.

A native of Detroit, Buchanan, 65, was a businessman for more than three decades before he was elected to Congress in 2006. He made much of his fortune from a printing company and car dealerships. He retains ownership interests in more than two dozen businesses and has substantial real estate holdings, making him one of the wealthiest members of Congress. He served six years in the Air National Guard and sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, trade, health care, welfare and Social Security.

Education:

Cleary University, B.A., business administration; University of Detroit, M.B.A.

Cleary University, B.A., business administration; University of Detroit, M.B.A.

Do you support or oppose ending the economic embargo with Cuba?

"Oppose. Revisiting relations with a Castro regime that has long been designated a state sponsor of terrorism is irresponsible and sends the wrong message to dictators across the globe."

"Oppose. Revisiting relations with a Castro regime that has long been designated a state sponsor of terrorism is irresponsible and sends the wrong message to dictators across the globe."

Do you support or oppose a ban on assault weapons?

"Oppose. While we all support taking steps to reduce gun violence, I do not believe this is best addressed through imposing increased regulations and restrictions upon law-abiding citizens."

"Oppose. While we all support taking steps to reduce gun violence, I do not believe this is best addressed through imposing increased regulations and restrictions upon law-abiding citizens."

What is the federal government's role in ensuring clean water for Florida residents and keeping our waterways free of algae?

"As a longtime opponent of drilling off the Gulf Coast, I place a high priority on protecting Florida's waterways and preserving the Sunshine State's pristine coastline. To protect native coral and preserve healthy seas, I introduced the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act, bipartisan legislation that promotes further research into the potentially devastating effects of ocean acidification. Maintaining and managing federal infrastructure such as dams and ports with the goal of keeping Florida's water clean for residents, visitors and wildlife is also crucial because in Florida, the environment is the economy. I've supported emergency funding for repairs of the Herbert Hoover Dike on Lake Okeechobee, which will bolster efforts to contain the severe algae blooms we saw this year. I was a strong supporter of a recently-signed law that protects Sarasota Bay and other national estuaries by helping states and communities implement conservation and management plans and address threats to estuaries."

"As a longtime opponent of drilling off the Gulf Coast, I place a high priority on protecting Florida's waterways and preserving the Sunshine State's pristine coastline. To protect native coral and preserve healthy seas, I introduced the Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act, bipartisan legislation that promotes further research into the potentially devastating effects of ocean acidification. Maintaining and managing federal infrastructure such as dams and ports with the goal of keeping Florida's water clean for residents, visitors and wildlife is also crucial because in Florida, the environment is the economy. I've supported emergency funding for repairs of the Herbert Hoover Dike on Lake Okeechobee, which will bolster efforts to contain the severe algae blooms we saw this year. I was a strong supporter of a recently-signed law that protects Sarasota Bay and other national estuaries by helping states and communities implement conservation and management plans and address threats to estuaries."

How would you reform the federal immigration system?

"While we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. These laws must be obeyed and enforced. For Congress to grant amnesty to 11 million people who broke our laws and came here illegally would be an affront to the millions more who choose to play by the rules and comply with our laws. I have consistently argued against amnesty and for a solution that secures our border first. No amnesty. Secure the border. Enforce the laws. Respect the Constitution."

"While we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. These laws must be obeyed and enforced. For Congress to grant amnesty to 11 million people who broke our laws and came here illegally would be an affront to the millions more who choose to play by the rules and comply with our laws. I have consistently argued against amnesty and for a solution that secures our border first. No amnesty. Secure the border. Enforce the laws. Respect the Constitution."

Assets/liabilities/ income:

Assets: real estate, rental homes, stocks, bonds, business holdings Liabilities: mortgages, lines of credit. Income: congressional salary

Assets: real estate, rental homes, stocks, bonds, business holdings Liabilities: mortgages, lines of credit. Income: congressional salary

Personal:

Married, two adult children

Married, two adult children

Campaign fundraising:

Contributions: $1,407,455 Expenditures: $452,772

Contributions: $1,407,455 Expenditures: $452,772

On the web:

Website: vernbuchanan.com Twitter: @vernbuchanan

Website: vernbuchanan.com Twitter: @vernbuchanan

Jan Schneider

Party:

Democrat

Democrat

Profession:

Attorney

Attorney

About the candidate:

Schneider, 69, is a Sarasota lawyer. She has authored books and articles on domestic and international environmental law, baby boomer law and politics. Her community activities include running a free legal clinic for public housing residents in Sarasota and serving on the boards of the Gulf Coast Marine Institute South, Henry Lawrence Youth Foundation, Lemon Bay Conservancy, Protect Our Waters, Sarasota Commission on the Status of Women, Sarasota-Manatee National Association for Women and Seniors for Pets. She ran for Congress in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008, twice winning the Democratic primary.

Schneider, 69, is a Sarasota lawyer. She has authored books and articles on domestic and international environmental law, baby boomer law and politics. Her community activities include running a free legal clinic for public housing residents in Sarasota and serving on the boards of the Gulf Coast Marine Institute South, Henry Lawrence Youth Foundation, Lemon Bay Conservancy, Protect Our Waters, Sarasota Commission on the Status of Women, Sarasota-Manatee National Association for Women and Seniors for Pets. She ran for Congress in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008, twice winning the Democratic primary.

Education:

Brown University, B.A.; Yale Law School, J.D.; Yale University, M.A., philosophy and Ph.D, political science; Columbia University, M.A., international affairs.

Brown University, B.A.; Yale Law School, J.D.; Yale University, M.A., philosophy and Ph.D, political science; Columbia University, M.A., international affairs.

Do you support or oppose ending the economic embargo with Cuba?

"Support. The United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations in 2015 after more than 50 years. Some months later, President Obama held an historic meeting with Cuban President Raúl Castro. At that time, the Obama administration announced that two Cuba embargo restrictions would be relaxed, which allowed easier travel to Cuba and more commerce between the two countries. I support lifting the remaining embargo restrictions, which are relics of the Cold War. The sanctions harm the U.S. economy as well as Cuban citizens."

"Support. The United States and Cuba restored diplomatic relations in 2015 after more than 50 years. Some months later, President Obama held an historic meeting with Cuban President Raúl Castro. At that time, the Obama administration announced that two Cuba embargo restrictions would be relaxed, which allowed easier travel to Cuba and more commerce between the two countries. I support lifting the remaining embargo restrictions, which are relics of the Cold War. The sanctions harm the U.S. economy as well as Cuban citizens."

Do you support or oppose a ban on assault weapons?

"Support. As of 2016, there were no federal laws banning semi-automatic assault weapons, military-style .50 caliber rifles, handguns, or large-capacity ammunition magazines. The Federal Assault Weapons Ban, more fully known as the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, imposed a prohibition on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines between 1994 and 2004, but Congress allowed it to expire. I support reinstating the ban."

"Support. As of 2016, there were no federal laws banning semi-automatic assault weapons, military-style .50 caliber rifles, handguns, or large-capacity ammunition magazines. The Federal Assault Weapons Ban, more fully known as the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, imposed a prohibition on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines between 1994 and 2004, but Congress allowed it to expire. I support reinstating the ban."

What is the federal government's role in ensuring clean water for Florida residents and keeping our waterways free of algae?

"The federal government has at least a triple role in ensuring clean water for Florida. To use the recent massive pollution and algae growths in Florida waters emanating from Lake Okeechobee as an example, when the highest water levels in nearly a century led to concern about stress on the failing Herbert Hoover Dike, the Army Corps of Engineers released large quantities of water through channel locks – and with the water massive quantities of dangerous green sludge. The Environmental Protection agency should reject the proposal by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to weaken restrictions on discharge of dozens of toxic chemicals into rivers, lakes, streams and coastal waters. The House of Representatives should proceed on a bipartisan bill introduced by members from Florida, H.R. 4667, for an emergency appropriation of $800 million to expedite repairs by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Hoover Dike. The same is true of a bill authorizing the Corps to move forward on a $1.9 billion Everglades restoration project, which the Senate passed overwhelmingly on Sept. 15, 2016."

"The federal government has at least a triple role in ensuring clean water for Florida. To use the recent massive pollution and algae growths in Florida waters emanating from Lake Okeechobee as an example, when the highest water levels in nearly a century led to concern about stress on the failing Herbert Hoover Dike, the Army Corps of Engineers released large quantities of water through channel locks – and with the water massive quantities of dangerous green sludge. The Environmental Protection agency should reject the proposal by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to weaken restrictions on discharge of dozens of toxic chemicals into rivers, lakes, streams and coastal waters. The House of Representatives should proceed on a bipartisan bill introduced by members from Florida, H.R. 4667, for an emergency appropriation of $800 million to expedite repairs by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Hoover Dike. The same is true of a bill authorizing the Corps to move forward on a $1.9 billion Everglades restoration project, which the Senate passed overwhelmingly on Sept. 15, 2016."

How would you reform the federal immigration system?

"Apart from being inhumane, the presence of 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States threatens national security and is bad for the economy. Three years ago, the Senate passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for many undocumented immigrants; doubled the number of border agents to 40,000; added 700 miles of fencing on the southern border; and expanded the use of drones to patrol the border. No one liked the compromise, but many supported it —- as, grudgingly, would I."

"Apart from being inhumane, the presence of 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States threatens national security and is bad for the economy. Three years ago, the Senate passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for many undocumented immigrants; doubled the number of border agents to 40,000; added 700 miles of fencing on the southern border; and expanded the use of drones to patrol the border. No one liked the compromise, but many supported it —- as, grudgingly, would I."

Assets/liabilities/ income:

Assets: Stocks, bonds, condominiums, other real estate Liabilities: None Income: legal fees; consulting fees from the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute

Assets: Stocks, bonds, condominiums, other real estate Liabilities: None Income: legal fees; consulting fees from the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute

Personal:

Single

Single

Campaign fundraising:

Contributions: $64,058 (Includes $26,000 loan from Schneider) Expenditures: $33,828

Contributions: $64,058 (Includes $26,000 loan from Schneider) Expenditures: $33,828

On the web:

Website: votejan.com Twitter: @VoteJan2016

Website: votejan.com Twitter: @VoteJan2016