[4] During the 2009 general election campaign, Cardo worked as Helen Zille's speechwriter.

[4] He was then employed in the policy and strategy unit of the department of the premier in the Western Cape government between 2011 and 2014.

[4] Prior to the 7 May 2014 general election, Cardo was selected as a DA parliamentary candidate.

[5] The DA parliamentary leader, Mmusi Maimane, appointed him Shadow Minister of Economic Development on 18 June 2015.

[10] Cardo was awarded a Visiting Research Fellowship at the Helen Suzman Foundation in 2006.