Ardian Zika | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Member of the FloridaHouseofRepresentatives from the 37th district | |
In office November 6, 2018 –November 8, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Richard Corcoran |
Succeeded by | Susan Plasencia |
Personal details | |
Born | Yugoslavia | February 17,1980
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 |
|
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]
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]
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.
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]
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.