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Ardian Zika

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Ardian Zika
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 37th district
In office
November 6, 2018 – November 8, 2022
Preceded byRichard Corcoran
Succeeded bySusan Plasencia
Personal details
Born (1980-02-17) February 17, 1980 (age 44)
Yugoslavia
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Tasha R. Zika
(m. 2008)
Children5
Residence(s)Land o' Lakes, Florida, U.S.
Alma materLouisiana Tech University
Saint Leo University
Occupation
  • Businessman
  • politician

Ardian Zika (born February 17, 1980[1]) is an American businessman, banker and former politician who served as a Republican member of the Florida Legislature representing the state's 37th House district, which encompasses parts of Pasco County. On May 5, 2022, he announced not to run for a third time, and resigned from office on November 8, 2022.[2]

Early life and education

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Zika was born and raised in Kosovo, then Yugoslavia. He immigrated to the United States in 1997, aged 17, with his family during the Yugoslav Wars on a refugee visa.[3] He graduated from high school in Louisiana. Zika moved to Florida after graduating from college in 2005.[4]

He graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and in 2012 with a Master of Business Administration from St. Leo University in St. Leo, Florida.[5]

Career

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Zika spent over 15 years of his early career in banking. He currently is the president and chairman of Guardian Street, LLC,[6] a private business advisory practice specializing in middle-market companies.

Politics

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Zika began his political career as a congressional intern which he spent in Washington, D.C., during June and July 2000.

He defeated two candidates in the August 28, 2018, Republican primary, winning 57.5% of the vote.[7] In the November 8, 2018, general election, Zika won 60.47% of the vote, defeating Democrat Tammy Garcia.[8]

Personal life

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Zika is married to Tasha R. Zika (b. c. 1982) since 2008.[9] They have five children and reside in Land o' Lakes, Florida. Zika is a Baptist and active member of the Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida.

References

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  1. ^ United States Public Records
  2. ^ "Pasco state Rep. Ardian Zika says he won't run for a third term". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  3. ^ Perry, Mitch (August 1, 2017). "Pasco businessman Ardian Zika to run for House District 37 seat". floridapolitics.com. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  4. ^ "Ardian Zika - 2020 - 2022 ( Speaker Sprowls )". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "Ardian Zika". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  6. ^ "Detail by Entity Name". search.sunbiz.org. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "Florida Department of State - Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  8. ^ "Florida Election Watch - State Representative". floridaelectionwatch.gov. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  9. ^ "Ardian Zika". Florida House GOP. Retrieved February 20, 2023.