Jan Schneider in the News
Jan Schneider
Ballotpedia’s candidate profile provides an overview of Jan Schneider’s campaign for Florida’s 16th Congressional District. It includes her political experience, biographical information, election history and responses to the 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
View the Ballotpedia profileRace Analysis: Congressional District 16 Democratic Primary
This analysis examines the Democratic candidates competing for Florida’s open District 16 congressional seat. The article discusses Schneider’s extensive experience as a Gulf Coast congressional candidate and compares her background, campaign and prospects with the other candidates in the Democratic primary.
Read the storyEpisode 217: Jan Schneider, D16 Congressional Candidate
Jan Schneider joins Bradenton Times editor Mitch Maley for a wide-ranging interview about her campaign for Congress. Their conversation covers national and international issues, including Venezuela, as well as what Democrats must do to succeed in the 2026 midterm elections.
Listen to the interviewJan Schneider Tells Republicans in Congress to “Develop Some Guts”
In this candidate interview, Schneider criticizes President Donald Trump’s war policy and calls on congressional Republicans to demonstrate greater independence. She also makes her case to District 16 voters and explains what distinguishes her from the other Democratic candidates.
Read the storyTampa Bay Times Candidate Questionnaire
Jan Schneider
Attorney, small business owner and author who provides free legal help to public housing residents.
Education
Master’s, Columbia University; master’s and doctorate, Yale University; J.D., Yale Law School
Source: Tampa Bay Times 2026 Primary Voter Guide
Tampa Bay TimesWhat are your three top priorities?
SchneiderEnd Citizens United. Enact CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM to ban corporate PAC contributions, lobbyist fundraising and “dark money.” Too many cannot afford energy, a home, insurance, food and childcare. Aim for ECONOMIC SECURITY with quality public education, living wages, fair taxes and Social Security. Highest in health spending, the U.S. ranks low on life expectancy, infant mortality and drug costs. Make HEALTHCARE a right and restore Affordable Care Act tax credits and Medicare, Medicaid and VHA cuts.
Tampa Bay TimesWhy are you running?
SchneiderSimple answers: public service, giving back and mentoring successors. Deeper ones: rage at our democratic republic sinking to dictatorship by an unhinged president with groveling acolytes; at our federal government for sale, 300 billionaires pouring in 19% of campaign contributions for huge tax and other boons; at growing bigotry; and at murdering people—in Iran, on the high seas, at home—in our name, “We the People.” Also, personal motivation: unable to have children, my hook to the future.
Tampa Bay TimesWhat makes you the best person for the job?
SchneiderExperience and knowledge. Long practicing law in D.C. entailed many dealings with Congress. Also, I was invited to testify before congressional committees, drafted successful bills, lobbied members and registered as a foreign agent (Canada). Moreover, I have practiced up to the World Court, run a free legal clinic, own a small business, worked for the United Nations Environment Programme, taught law, served on many public interest boards and published an award-winning book and dozens of articles.
Tampa Bay TimesThere’s a solid chance that Democrats take control of at least one chamber of Congress this year. How would you get things done under a divided federal government?
SchneiderReturn to civility. Listen attentively and focus on substance, not personal attacks. Strategies attorneys use to settle or mediate cases may be useful. They suggest members of Congress start with must-pass legislation and build consensus on less controversial issues; also increase participation in bipartisan groups like the Problem Solvers Caucus. A specific tool that may help is the 1996 Congressional Review Act, allowing expedited disapproval of recently finalized agency rules and regulations.
Tampa Bay TimesThis Congress has relinquished some authority to the president, allowing the executive branch to, for example, cancel or delay spending approved by lawmakers. Should Congress reclaim its power over the purse? If so, how? If not, why?
SchneiderYes. Congress must reclaim power of the purse to restore separation of powers and checks and balances, keep control of taxpayer funds and restrain executive overreach. The Congressional Power of the Purse Act would be a start, in updating the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and Antideficiency Act of 1884. Congress should also amend the National Emergencies Act abused by President Trump. In addition, Congress should reduce reliance on budget reconciliation to circumvent appropriations processes.
Tampa Bay TimesShould Congress have had the chance to vote before the U.S. engaged in the conflict with Iran? If not, why?
SchneiderYes. The Constitution grants Congress powers “To declare War” and support armed forces and provides the president shall be “Commander in Chief.” Congress dealt with the innate tension in the War Powers Resolution of 1973. It requires a president to report to Congress within 48 hours of introducing armed forces into hostilities and to withdraw the forces within 60 days unless Congress declares war or authorizes the operation. President Trump chose to ignore the former and disregard the latter.
Tampa Bay TimesHow should Congress regulate artificial intelligence? What do you think about the growing use of AI in daily life?
SchneiderCongress needs to set federal AI minimum standards. These include transparency, displaced worker protections, safeguards against invasions of privacy, national security provisions and evaluations of ongoing risks and benefits. The Great American AI Act, a bipartisan discussion draft in Congress, seems a good start at a federal framework. Still, states and localities have distinct interests needing accommodation. An example is regulating massive AI data centers, such as proposed in DeSoto County.
Tampa Bay TimesWhat can Congress do to address Americans’ cost of living? What can’t it do?
SchneiderCongress took a giant step on Americans’ cost of living in the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Congress can also raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 and pass tax bills helping families by reviving or expanding ACA tax credits, child care benefits, down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, etc. What Congress cannot do is enact price controls on consumer products or services, preempt Federal Reserve interest rates or block local building, zoning or other regulations.
More Campaign Coverage & Candidate Forums
Read recent reporting and watch Jan Schneider discuss the issues directly with voters and community organizations.
Most Tampa Bay Congressional Candidates Oppose DeSoto Data Center Proposal
The Tampa Bay Times examines where District 16 congressional candidates stand on a proposed massive data center in DeSoto County. Jan Schneider addresses the role of local officials and residents while discussing the broader concerns surrounding the project and its impact on the community.
Read the articleFlorida Congressional District 16 Candidate Forum
This nonpartisan League of Women Voters forum gives District 16 candidates an opportunity to answer questions about their priorities, qualifications and positions on issues affecting the district. Watch Jan Schneider explain her approach and speak directly to voters.
Watch the forum16th Congressional District Candidate Forum
Hosted by the nonpartisan Tiger Bay Club of Manatee County, this candidate forum brings the District 16 contenders together for a substantive discussion of their experience, policy priorities and plans for representing the region in Congress.
Watch the forum