Ardian Zika Explained

Ardian Zika
State House:Florida
State:Florida
District:37th
Term Start:November 6, 2018
Term End:November 8, 2022
Predecessor:Richard Corcoran
Successor:Susan Plasencia
Party:Republican
Birth Date:17 February 1980
Birth Place:Yugoslavia
Alma Mater:Louisiana Tech University
Saint Leo University
Residence:Land o' Lakes, Florida, U.S.
Children:5

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

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

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

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

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.

Notes and References

  1. United States Public Records
  2. Web site: Pasco state Rep. Ardian Zika says he won't run for a third term . 2023-02-20 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  3. News: Perry . Mitch . Pasco businessman Ardian Zika to run for House District 37 seat . December 2, 2018 . floridapolitics.com . August 1, 2017.
  4. Web site: Ardian Zika - 2020 - 2022 (Speaker Sprowls) . 2023-02-20 . www.myfloridahouse.gov . en-US.
  5. Web site: Ardian Zika . 2023-02-20 . Ballotpedia . en.
  6. Web site: Detail by Entity Name . 2023-02-20 . search.sunbiz.org.
  7. Web site: Florida Department of State - Election Results . results.elections.myflorida.com . November 29, 2018.
  8. Web site: Florida Election Watch - State Representative . floridaelectionwatch.gov . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181130071451/https://floridaelectionwatch.gov/DistrictOffices/StateRepresentative . November 30, 2018 . dead .
  9. Web site: Ardian Zika . 2023-02-20 . Florida House GOP . en-US.