Ardian Zika

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]

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
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

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


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