FL GOP Chair Asked To Resign Amid Scandal

The Florida Republican Party last week suspended party Chairman Christian Ziegler as Sarasota Police investigate a rape allegation made by a woman who had a previous consensual relationship with both Ziegler and his wife, the Associated Press reported.

In a December 18 emergency meeting, the state party board voted to censure Ziegler and also demanded his resignation, echoing the calls from Governor Ron DeSantis and other top Republican officials in the state.

In its motion to censure Ziegler, the Florida GOP said the chairman’s conduct “renders him unfit for the office.”

According to Lee County Republican Party Chair Michael Thomason, during the emergency meeting, Ziegler attempted to defend himself but the party quickly voted to suspend him.

The state GOP’s executive committee plans to hold another vote on removing Ziegler.

The Sarasota Police Department is investigating an accusation of rape by a woman who alleged that Ziegler raped her in her apartment in October.

According to the police, Ziegler and the woman had planned a threesome with his wife Bridget Ziegler. However, when Mrs. Ziegler was unable to make the date, her husband arrived on his own and raped the unnamed woman.

Thus far, Ziegler has not been charged and is maintaining his innocence, insisting that the encounter with the woman had been consensual.

The allegation has also caused trouble for Ziegler’s wife, who is the co-founder of the conservative group Mom’s for Liberty and a member of the Sarasota School Board.

While Bridget Ziegler has not been accused of any crime, the school board voted on December 12 to ask her to step down. However, Mrs. Ziegler has refused.

In addition to Governor Ron DeSantis, both of Florida’s Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and the leaders of the Florida state Senate and House have all called on Ziegler to resign.