Ardian Zika

Ardian Zika
Ardian Zika
Member of the Florida House of Representatives; from the 37th district
	In office; November 6, 2018 – November 8, 2022
Preceded by	Richard Corcoran
Succeeded by	Susan Plasencia
Personal details
Born	February 17, 1980 (age 44); Yugoslavia
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Tasha R. Zika (m. 2008)
Children	5
Residence(s)	Land o' Lakes, Florida, U.S.
Alma mater	Louisiana 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

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.

References

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

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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.

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