Jack Zika

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]

Jack Zika
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 53rd district
In office
January 14, 2019 – January 9, 2023
Preceded byGene Whisnant
Succeeded byEmerson Levy
Personal details
Born1977 (45–46 years old)
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
SpouseZanthel Zika
Children2
ResidenceRedmond, Oregon
Alma materUniversity of Cincinnati
ProfessionRealtor, Politician

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]

References
  1. "Statement of Organization for Candidate Committee". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  2. "State Representatives by District". Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  3. Warner, Gary A. (November 6, 2018). "Republican Zika wins in House District 53 race". Bend Bulletin. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  4. "Representative Jack Zika: Biography". Oregon Legislative Assembly. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  5. "Jack Zika: Broker, Earth Advantage". Bend Premier Real Estate. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  6. "Representative Gene Whisnant Will Not Seek Re-election". Cascade Business News. December 5, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  7. Mapes, Jeff (May 20, 2018). "Oregon's Closest Primary Race Could Take Time To Find A Winner". KLCC. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  8. "Recount Confirms Two-Vote Win in 53rd District Primary". U.S. News & World Report. June 7, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  9. Warner, Gary A. "Zika wins House nomination by two votes in recount". Del Norte Triplicate. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  10. "Jack Zika". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  11. "November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  12. Folsom, Geoff (December 5, 2018). "Redmond to get its first legislator in four decades". The Redmond Spokesman. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  13. "Representative Jack Zika:Committees". Oregon Legislative Assembly. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  14. "Zika wildfire protection bill heads to governor's desk". KTVZ. May 14, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  15. "Governor Signs Wildfire Protection Bill" (PDF). Representative Jack Zika House District 53. May 23, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  16. VanderHart, Dirk (May 6, 2019). "Tougher Vaccine Laws Pass Oregon House, Head To Senate". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  17. Blumberg, Antonia (May 14, 2019). "Oregon Democrats Abandon Vaccine, Gun Bills In Concession To Republicans". Huffington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  18. Golgowski, Nina (February 27, 2019). "Oregon Is Set To Become The First State With Statewide Rent Control". Huffington Post. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  19. Biehl, Isaac (February 26, 2019). "Oregon Legislature Passes Renters' Protection Bill". The Source Weekly. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  20. Miller, Mark (June 6, 2019). "What time is it? Permanent DST, lawmakers say". Portland Tribune. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
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