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Ardian Zika's journey from Kosovo to the Florida House of Representatives, the embodiment of the American dream

Ardian Zika's journey from Kosovo to the Florida House of Representatives,

Albanian-American Ardian Zika left Kosovo at the age of 17 in search of a better life in the United States. 21 years later, in 2018, he won his first term as a member of the House of Representatives in the state of Florida, while now enjoying his second term in office. In an interview with VOA, Mr. Zika says the reason he got into politics is to make sure that the younger generations also enjoy the opportunities he found in the United States.

In November last year, Albanian-American Ardian Zika won his second term as Republican representative for one of the 120 seats in the Florida House of Representatives.

The journey to this important position in the politics of this American state, he says, is the embodiment of the realization of the American dream.

"I am an American who started his journey as an emigrant from Kosovo. I am the embodiment of American uniqueness. America is a wonderful nation. "America is what Ronald Reagan called the hillside city, where anyone, from all walks of life, can come, work and succeed because the opportunities here are endless," Zika told VOA.

Albanian-American Zika came to the United States at the age of 17, initially to Louisiana, where he finished high school and college, and completed his postgraduate studies in Florida.

For 14 years he worked in the banking sector, and later founded the business consulting company "Guardian Street".

Despite a successful career in the private sector, he says he was always interested in politics because he felt compelled to contribute to the country that gave him everything.

"I am the first Albanian-American from Kosovo to become part of the Florida House of Representatives. One of the three largest countries in the country, one of the 20 most powerful economies in the world, with total output over one trillion dollars. I am very proud to be an American who has started his journey as an immigrant and has achieved success in "This wonderful place that we all love," says Mr. Zika.

He says that his primary goal in politics is to make sure that the new generations also have the opportunities that were given to him in the United States.

"This is the institution that determines all public policies related to running the state of Florida, a wonderful place where over 20 million people live. With a budget of over $ 100 billion. My role is very important. "The main reason I entered the race is for Florida to continue to be the place where people continue to realize the American dream, so that every child has equal opportunities," he told VOA.

At a time when the United States is experiencing strong political divisions between the Republican and Democratic parties, the Albanian-American says that despite the differences, the goal is the same.

"American policy is very noisy," he said. But despite this we have common goals. A goal that empowers our passion, a passion that guarantees that we are all united in one, like the United States of America. While we may disagree on some issues, we all agree on one thing, that America is a wonderful country " , says Mr. Zika.

Asked about the situation in Kosovo, Mr. Zika said that peace and stability in the Balkans is the only way to a stable Europe, while adding that he is confident that the administration of President Joe Biden will continue the commitment to achieve this goal.

"In my opinion, President Biden understands the issues in that region of Europe. Based on what I have read and in my opinion, he is committed to continuing support, to ensuring that this region of Europe lives in peace and has a hopeful future. I think he understands that part of the world very well ", concludes Mr. Zika.

Currently the Republican party of which Ardian Zika belongs controls the House of Representatives in the state of Florida where out of 120 seats, Republicans hold 78, while Democrats 42.

Taken from "Voice of America" ​​/ tiranapost.al