PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – When Republican voters head to the polls in Pasco County on primary day, they’ll have three candidates to pick from in the race for the Florida House of Representatives 37th District seat.

  • Seat currently held by House Speaker Richard Corcoran
  • Winner among 3 candidates to face Democrat Tammy Garcia in November
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Elle Rudisill

“Born and raised here, and that’s why I want to work here as a legislator,” said candidate Elle Rudisill. “I want to make a difference in my hometown.”

Rudisill, 30, said her interest in politics dates back to her days at the University of South Florida, when she began volunteering with different campaigns. She said her experience as an assistant state attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit played a role in deciding to run for the 37th district seat.

“I have to see the laws everyday. I have to work with what the legislature has passed,” Rudisill said. “Personally, there are some laws that I have dealt with that need to be strengthened for victims.”

In addition to protecting victims, Rudisill said she wants to make sure first time juvenile offenders are given the chance to get their lives back on track. She said she’d like it to be possible to steer those with first charges toward a career in the trades during the arbitration process.

“I want to try to put more focus on getting a trade certificate, actually doing something where, once they’re done, they can also get a job,” she said.

Rudisill said another issue that’s important to her is making it easier for small businesses to thrive in the district, which covers the central part of Pasco County.

Ardian Zika

Strengthening local businesses and the economy is also something candidate Ardian Zika, 38, said would be a priority for him if elected. 

“Who would’ve thought that 21 years ago, I would come to the shores of this country for a better life and better opportunity, and 21 years later, I would run for public office in the greatest state in the union? This is the American dream,” said Zika, who came to the U.S. from Kosovo in 1997.

“I think we need to strengthen our economy with jobs that are recession-proof,” Zika said. “I believe the best way to grow our economy is by bringing cybersecurity jobs.”

Zika, president and CEO of business advisory firm Guardian Street, LLC and a former banking official, also touted the importance of having a strong education policy. That includes a focus on the trades.

“We must have vocational training in our community – welders, plumbers, mechanics. It’s a huge demand for those jobs,” he said. 

Ryan Patrick Boney

Also hoping to take over the seat held by current House Speaker Richard Corcoran is Ryan Patrick Boney. Boney served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years.

“I purposefully took the last two years to find where I can contribute and serve my neighbors, the community, and of course, Pasco County,” Boney said via e-mail. “The District 37 House of Representatives seat would provide that much welcomed opportunity to continue my lifelong career as a public servant.”

Boney said his time in the Navy and his past year of employment with Pasco County has helped prepare him for office.

“I’m entrenched everyday with the residents of our county,” Boney said via e-mail. “I hear their concerns, I see their struggles, and I know their hopes.”

Boney pointed to Pasco County’s recent rapid growth as being one of the biggest challenges for the coming two-year term of the next person to hold the 37th seat.

“The future representative will need to work hand in hand with the county commissioners to ensure we are doing everything in our power to pursue and entice new partnerships and collaborations with leading industries which will bring jobs to our county and its residents,” Boney said.

The winner of next week’s Republican primary will face Democrat Tammy Garcia in the general election this November.

For more information on Ardian Zika, visit: https://www.voteardianzika.com.

For more information on Elle Rudisill, visit: http://www.ellerudisill.com/index.php.

For more information on Ryan Patrick Boney, visit: https://www.ryanboney.com.