Buckner was reelected to serve the people of House District 40 in 2016, and again in 2018. Following her 2018 victory, she was appointed to the leadership role of Speaker Pro Tempore by former Colorado House Speaker KC Becker.

In the 2019 legislative session, Buckner sponsored and passed the historic Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, ensuring that women are compensated equitably for their work. Since then she has sponsored and passed additional legislation to improve and expand on the 2019 Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. She is dedicated to legislation that addresses health and education inequities and she has proven to be a leader in the state legislature by passing laws to address these issues in a bipartisan manner.

In the past few years, Senator Buckner has also championed legislation to create the Department Early Childhood And Universal Preschool Program, which is bringing universal preschool to Colorado. Additionally, she led the effort to create the Colorado Adult High School program to expand educational opportunities for adults, improving Colorado's workforce and closing equity gaps.

Prior to her time in the legislature, Janet worked for several years as a speech and language therapist. Senator Buckner also worked for more than three decades in medical sales - training doctors and other hospital personnel as well as other sales representatives.

Buckner has lived in Aurora since 1975. Her family includes her twin daughters, Joy and Jennifer; her son, Jay; Jennifer's husband, Floyd, and Jay's wife, Erin; and three granddaughters. She has a bachelor's degree in education from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Senator Buckner has always believed in giving all individuals a "seat at the table" with regard to policy and legislative issues. She is dedicated to leading by example with grace, inclusivity, and empathy.