Jack Zika Explained

Jack Zika
State House:Oregon
District:53rd
Term Start:January 14, 2019
Term End:January 9, 2023
Predecessor:Gene Whisnant
Successor:Emerson Levy
Birth Date:1977 (years old)
Nationality:American
Party:Republican
Spouse:Zanthel Zika
Children:2
Residence:Redmond, Oregon
Alma Mater:University of Cincinnati
Profession:Realtor, Politician

Joseph "Jack" Zika III[1] (born 1977)[2] is an American politician from Oregon. A Republican, he served as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives for the 53rd district from 2019 to 2023.[3]

Early life and career

Zika was born in Ohio[1] and attended the University of Cincinnati.

Career

Zika worked as a securities trader and, immediately prior to his election to the Oregon House of Representatives, as a realtor in Bend.[4] [5] He previously served on the City of Redmond Planning Commission before being elected to the Oregon House of Representatives.[5]

In December 2017,[1] Zika filed his candidacy to become the next representative for District 53 replacing incumbent Gene Whisnant, who decided to retire after more than fifteen years in office.[6] In the Republican primary election, Zika faced an incredibly close election result against primary opponent and conservative activist Ben Schimmoller. The initial count showed Zika leading Schimmoller by 11 votes, but the final recount narrowed Zika's victory to a margin of two votes.[7] [8] [9] In the general election, Zika defeated his Democratic opponent, retired Daimler Trucks executive Eileen Kiely, securing 56% of the vote to become the new Representative for the district.[10] [11] He became the first state legislator from Redmond in 40 years, the last being Sam Johnson, who served in the Legislature from 1965 to 1978.[12]

80th Oregon Legislative Assembly

In the 80th Oregon Legislative Assembly, Zika serves on the House Committee On Energy and Environment, the House Committee On Human Services and Housing, and the House Committee On Veterans and Emergency Preparedness.[13]

Zika was the chief sponsor on House Bill 2222, a bill to improve wildfire protection in Oregon. HB 2222 would require the Oregon Department of Forestry to report to the state legislature regarding its implementation of the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Act, which was signed into law in 1997. This act was intended to provide property owners resources from the Oregon Department of Forestry and incentives to help eliminate brush and ladder fuels around homes, to better protect Oregon residents from wildfires. HB 2222 received broad bipartisan support in both chambers of the state legislature and was signed into law by Governor Kate Brown on May 23, 2019.[14] [15]

Zika opposed House Bill 3063, which would have ended all non-medical exemptions to school vaccination requirements. He described the experience of his son developing a rash after receiving a partial vaccination for chickenpox as part of his rationale for opposing the bill.[16] HB 3063 passed the House and went to the Oregon Senate for deliberation, but the bill was ultimately scrapped as part of a concession deal from House Democrats. House Republicans had previously walked out in strike over House Bill 3427, which would generate an annual $1 billion business tax to fund school grants and other education programs. The concession deal prompted House Republicans to return and allow the quorum necessary to vote on the latter bill.[17]

Zika opposed Senate Bill 608, which would limit annual rent increases and strengthen tenants’ rights. He expressed concerns about the unintended consequences for the bill and that it could reduce the quantity and quality of housing available.[18] [19] Zika also opposed Senate Bill 320, which would allow Oregon to observe daylight saving time on a year-round basis.[20]

Personal life

Zika lives in Redmond with his wife, Zanthel, and their two children. He is an active community volunteer with various organizations including Boys and Girls Club, Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee. Oregon Secretary of State. June 13, 2019. November 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231102232433/https://secure.sos.state.or.us/orestar/sooDetail.do?sooRsn=83453. live.
  2. Web site: State Representatives by District. Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. June 13, 2019. September 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180914132023/https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/state/legislative/house-district.aspx. live.
  3. News: Republican Zika wins in House District 53 race. November 6, 2018. Gary A.. Warner. Bend Bulletin. June 13, 2019. July 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190707152932/https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/elections/6648953-151/republican-zika-jumps-to-early-lead-in-house. live.
  4. Web site: Representative Jack Zika: Biography. Oregon Legislative Assembly. June 14, 2019. June 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190602174119/https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/zika/Pages/biography.aspx. live.
  5. Web site: Jack Zika: Broker, Earth Advantage. Bend Premier Real Estate. June 14, 2019. September 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200921041206/https://www.bendpremierrealestate.com/agents/jack-zika/. live.
  6. News: Representative Gene Whisnant Will Not Seek Re-election. December 5, 2017. Cascade Business News. June 14, 2019. April 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230418103547/https://cascadebusnews.com/representative-gene-whisnant-will-not-seek-re-election/. live.
  7. News: Oregon's Closest Primary Race Could Take Time To Find A Winner. May 20, 2018. Jeff. Mapes. KLCC. June 14, 2019. May 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180522033843/http://klcc.org/post/oregons-closest-primary-race-could-take-time-find-winner. live.
  8. News: Recount Confirms Two-Vote Win in 53rd District Primary. June 7, 2018. U.S. News & World Report. June 14, 2019. November 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231102232429/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon/articles/2018-06-07/recount-confirms-two-vote-win-in-53rd-district-primary. live.
  9. News: Zika wins House nomination by two votes in recount. Gary A.. Warner. Del Norte Triplicate. June 15, 2019.
  10. Web site: Jack Zika. Ballotpedia. June 14, 2019. November 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181108091544/https://ballotpedia.org/Jack_Zika. live.
  11. Web site: November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes. Oregon Secretary of State. June 14, 2019. December 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022220/https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/Documents/results/november-2018-official-results.pdf. live.
  12. News: Redmond to get its first legislator in four decades. December 5, 2018. Geoff. Folsom. The Redmond Spokesman. June 15, 2019. November 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231102232355/https://www.redmondspokesman.com/news/redmond-to-get-its-first-legislator-in-four-decades/article_95713d5a-1d58-59b6-bac6-1fb9bfecf101.html. live.
  13. Web site: Representative Jack Zika:Committees. Oregon Legislative Assembly. June 14, 2019. June 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190602174116/https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/zika/Pages/committees.aspx. live.
  14. News: Zika wildfire protection bill heads to governor's desk. May 14, 2019. KTVZ. June 14, 2019. June 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190602224744/https://www.ktvz.com/news/zika-wildfire-protection-bill-heads-to-governor-s-desk/1077996248. live.
  15. Web site: Governor Signs Wildfire Protection Bill. May 23, 2019. Representative Jack Zika House District 53. June 14, 2019. July 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210730181303/https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/zika/Documents/FOR%20IMMEDIATE%20RELEASE-%20Governor%20Signs%20Wildfire%20Protection%20Bill.pdf. live.
  16. News: Tougher Vaccine Laws Pass Oregon House, Head To Senate. May 6, 2019. Dirk. VanderHart. Oregon Public Broadcasting. June 15, 2019. May 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190507001905/https://www.opb.org/news/article/vaccine-bill-passes-oregon-house-heads-to-senate/. live.
  17. News: Oregon Democrats Abandon Vaccine, Gun Bills In Concession To Republicans. May 14, 2019. Antonia. Blumberg. Huffington Post. June 15, 2019. June 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190618192057/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oregon-democrats-kill-vaccine-bill_n_5cdb1df2e4b061f59bf8dcba. live.
  18. News: Oregon Is Set To Become The First State With Statewide Rent Control. February 27, 2019. Nina. Golgowski. Huffington Post. June 15, 2019. June 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190615043826/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oregon-statewide-rent-control_n_5c76e270e4b0952f89ddd1d6. live.
  19. News: Oregon Legislature Passes Renters' Protection Bill. February 26, 2019. Isaac. Biehl. The Source Weekly. June 15, 2019. February 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190228133643/https://www.bendsource.com/bend/oregon-legislature-passes-renters-protection-bill/Content?oid=9500868. live.
  20. News: What time is it? Permanent DST, lawmakers say. June 6, 2019. Mark. Miller. Portland Tribune. June 15, 2019. June 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190609151918/https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/9-news/430520-338794-what-time-is-it-permanent-dst-lawmakers-say. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Jack Zika".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.