At an emergency meeting on Sunday, the Florida Republican Party asked that Chairman Christian Ziegler quit and suspend him while authorities investigate a rape accusation against him. This followed demands made by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other high-ranking officials.
Police records show that Ziegler and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, had a previous consensual sexual affair, and that he is now accused of raping that lady.
“Christian Ziegler has engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the office,” the party’s motion to censure Ziegler said, according to a document posted on the social media platform X by Lee County GOP Chairman Michael Thomason.
According to Thompson, the party board moved swiftly to punish Ziegler after he attempted to defend himself in the closed-door meeting.
“Ziegler on soap box trying to defend himself, not working,” Thompson posted before confirming the votes.
At a later date, the party’s executive committee will conduct another vote over Ziegler’s removal.
An investigation into the woman’s allegations that Ziegler sexually assaulted her at her October residence is underway by the Sarasota Police Department.
The woman and the Zieglers had scheduled a sexual threesome that day, according to police documents, but Bridget Ziegler was not able to attend. Christian Ziegler allegedly showed up anyway and attacked the accuser.
The interaction was consensual, according to Christian Ziegler, who maintains his innocence and denies any wrongdoing.
Even though she is not indicted, elected Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler has also been thrown into disarray by the accusation.
She was asked to step down by the board on Tuesday. She was adamant against it.
Critics have accused the couple of hypocrisy for their vocal opposition to LGBTQ+ rights and for their relationship with another lady.
