The Republican Party of Florida delivered a decisive vote on Monday, overwhelmingly deciding to remove Christian Ziegler from his position as chair amid an ongoing police investigation into a rape allegation. The scandal has cast a shadow over the state’s GOP, with two prominent figures facing turmoil since the investigation surfaced on November 30.
Accused of rape, Ziegler’s alleged misconduct involved a woman who claimed a previously consensual three-way encounter with him and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota County School Board member and co-founder of the group Moms for Liberty. The Zieglers, once a powerful GOP couple, were influential advocates for Governor Ron DeSantis’ culture war agenda, particularly regarding LGBTQ issues in schools. Their involvement in the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill further intensified the scrutiny.
Despite the accusations, Christian Ziegler maintained his innocence and resisted stepping down, leading to his forced removal. In a separate development, the Sarasota County School Board passed a resolution on December 12, urging Bridget Ziegler to resign. She, however, declined to do so.
The unfolding rape allegation and its associated revelations have unsettled the Florida GOP’s political landscape as it prepares for the 2024 elections. Notably, Governor Ron DeSantis and other statewide elected officials had called for Christian Ziegler’s resignation. Vice Chair Evan Power has now assumed the role of Florida GOP chair.
Christian Ziegler, a longstanding advocate for conservative ideals, has been involved in Republican politics for over a decade. His political journey included serving as GOP state committeeman for Sarasota County in 2012, an unsuccessful run for Florida GOP chair in 2016, election to the Sarasota County Commission in 2018, and finally, winning the chairman seat in the recent past.
A supporter of both Governor DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, Ziegler attended the Trump rally in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021, but did not participate in the subsequent Capitol riot. However, he now faces investigation for video voyeurism related to the recording of the October 2 sexual encounter.
In the ongoing police investigation, a woman accused Ziegler of sexual battery after a planned threesome with him, his wife Bridget, and the victim fell through. While no charges have been filed against Ziegler, Florida GOP officials contend that the conduct outlined in police affidavits raises moral concerns, making him unsuitable to lead the party.
Bridget Ziegler, appointed to the Sarasota County School Board by former Republican Governor Rick Scott in 2014, has been a vocal conservative on the board. Advocating against mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a role in forming the national right-wing activist group Moms for Liberty. Although the group claims nonpartisanship, it focuses on advancing the conservative “parental rights” movement, leading to criticism and accusations of bigotry, homophobia, and racism.
In June of the current year, the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled Moms for Liberty as extremist and anti-government. Despite the controversies, Bridget Ziegler stood alongside Governor DeSantis when he signed the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
As the investigation into Christian Ziegler continues, the Florida GOP grapples with the aftermath of the scandal, raising questions about the party’s leadership and its ability to navigate the upcoming elections in 2024.