Rep. Jack Zika announces re-election bid on Facebook

First Term Successes Include Affordable Housing, Wildfire, Leadership Appointment

Redmond, Ore. – Today in a video posted to his Facebook page, first-term State Representative Jack Zika (R-Redmond) announced he would seek a second two-year term. Zika, standing near the future location of hundreds of new, affordable homes made possible by legislation Zika spearheaded, said he was running to improve the affordability of living in Central Oregon.

“The legislature has not been a friend of working families and seniors in Central Oregon, passing a huge tax on sales that will increase the cost of nearly everything we buy, and nearly passing a cap and trade bill that would instantly increase fuel prices and the cost to heat our homes. One exception to the legislature’s dismal record on affordability was the passage of a bill to allow Redmond to add new affordable housing options near where I’m standing right now,” Zika said. “I am running to make sure that Central Oregonians see more wins like this one, and fewer losses in the form of higher taxes and costly regulations.”

Following his first legislative session, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan appointed Zika House Republican Assistant Leader. Zika was also appointed to the powerful House Rules Committee, which has jurisdiction over some of the most critical and large pieces of legislation moved through the House.

In the “short session” of the legislature occurring in February 2020, Zika plans to continue his focus on affordability by introducing bills to allow Bend, Redmond, and other cities around the state suffering from high housing prices, to develop more land for affordable housing, and to reduce the red tape for opening and operating high quality childcare facilities, a shortage of which has plagued Central Oregon for years.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done so far for Central Oregon, and I would be honored if the people of House District 53 allow me to serve them for another two years,” Zika said.

House District 53 includes the communities of Redmond, Tumalo, Sunriver and portions of Bend and unincorporated Deschutes County. Zika and his wife Zanthel live in Redmond with their two young children. Zika is a former City of Redmond Planning Commissioner and serves as the President-Elect of the Central Oregon Association of Realtors.