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Wilton Simpson latest Republican to back Ardian Zika in HD 37 race

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Florida Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson is the latest Republican to endorse Ardian Zika in the Pasco County-area House District 37 race for 2018.

“Ardian Zika’s story is a modern-day story of the American Dream,” Simpson said Tuesday in a statement from the Zika campaign, referring to the Land O’ Lakes businessman’s background, which includes leaving war-torn Kosovo 20 years ago to come to the United States.

“He has since completed an education, spent a decade and a half in the banking industry in a variety of leadership positions and started his own business,” Simpson added. “He and his wife have five children and are active members of their church. Ardian Zika has the common-sense experience we need to represent us in our state capitol.”

“This election, Ardian Zika has my strong support to serve as our Florida House Representative from District 37.”

House Speaker Richard Corcoran currently occupies the House District 37 seat, but the 37-year-old Zika is quickly becoming an establishment favorite to succeed Corcoran, who is term-limited next year.

Former House Speaker Will Weatherford has already contributed $1,000 to Zika’s campaign, as has Simpson, his wife and two connected companies. All told, Zika raised more than $100,000 since entering the race in August.

“Senator Simpson has been a role model and a positive example for me, both as a successful business owner and in how he serves our community and gives back,” said Zika. “I am honored and humbled to have Senator Simpson’s support and endorsement.”

George Agovino, Elle Rudisell and Bill Gunter have also entered the Republican HD 37 primary.

Mitch Perry has been a reporter with Extensive Enterprises since November of 2014. Previously, he served as five years as the political editor of the alternative newsweekly Creative Loafing. He also was the assistant news director with WMNF 88.5 FM in Tampa from 2000-2009, and currently hosts MidPoint, a weekly talk show, on WMNF on Thursday afternoons. He began his reporting career at KPFA radio in Berkeley. He's a San Francisco native who has now lived in Tampa for 15 years and can be reached at [email protected]

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