According to observers, the Florida GOP wants to remove Christian Ziegler as chair.
Orlando, Florida — Christian Ziegler, the embattled chair of the Florida Republican Party, is up for a vote on Sunday regarding whether to be fired from his $120,000 annual position due to accusastion of rape and the revelation that he and his spouse had an extramarital affair.
Despite the wishes of most state Republican leaders and Governor Ron DeSantis, he has so far resolutely refused to step down.
Bridget, the spouse of Christian Ziegler and a co-founder of the influential conservative organization Moms for Liberty, was confronted with a resolution on Tuesday evening that demanded her dismissal from the Sarasota County School Board.
Whether or not charges are brought, Christian Ziegler’s tenure as chair may soon come to an end due to the negative press and lack of support, according to political analysts.
Gregory Koger, a political science professor at the University of Miami, stated that, “setting aside the allegations of sexual assault, if there was a consensual three-way relationship of some kind, that would be legal, but inconsistent with the policy messages, policy actions, and messaging of the Florida Republican Party over the last five years.”
Political consultant Mac Stipanovich of Tallahassee concurred that Ziegler might lose his job regardless of the outcome of the investigation.
Throughout it all, the state GOP will wring their hands, emphasize the word “alleged,” and talk about being “innocent until proven guilty.”
According to a search warrant affidavit from the Sarasota Police Department, the allegations were made by a woman who claims to have had a prior consensual sexual encounter with Ziegler and his wife.
According to the affidavit, the woman informed Sarasota police detectives that she had canceled her scheduled sexual encounter with Ziegler and his wife on October 2 after finding out that Bridget wouldn’t be able to go.
According to the affidavit, she reported to police that as soon as she opened her door to let her dog out, Ziegler broke into her apartment and assaulted her sexually.
According to the affidavit, she reported to police that as soon as she opened her door to let her dog out, Ziegler broke into her apartment and assaulted her sexually.
A Sarasota police spokeswoman said that nothing in the report had been verified. The Florida Center for Government Accountability, a nonprofit media organization that broke the story first last month, claimed police had found Zeigler’s video of the encounter.
Ziegler is not facing any criminal charges. In a statement earlier this month, Ziegler declared his innocence and said that he and his wife were being “targeted.” His lawyer, Derek Byrd, promised to clear him of any wrongdoing.
“We need to save our country, and I won’t allow fabricated claims of criminal activity to undermine that goal.”
Koger speculated that Ziegler might be drawing inspiration from former President Donald Trump, who is well-known for his refusal to acknowledge guilt or errors. At Moms for Liberty’s convention in July, Ziegler reportedly advised attendees to “never apologize,” per NBC News. In all time. To apologize is to be weak.
Nevertheless, Koger asserted, “He’s not Trump.”
According to Koger, “he lacks the extreme latitude of forgiveness or indifference exhibited by Trump supporters, as well as the brand name recognition.” “The party brand is not more significant in the Zieglers’ cases.”
DeSantis, Trump’s competitor for the 2024 presidential nomination, was quick to demand that Ziegler resign, but Trump has been noticeably silent about the matter. Soon after, DeSantis received resignation calls from Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, House Speaker Paul Renner, CFO Jimmy Patronis, and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.
The New York Times was informed by state representative Spencer Roach, a Republican from Fort Myers, that Ziegler’s problems were “the topic of every water-cooler conversation and every lunchroom conversation.” People are confused, perplexed, and irritated. These individuals have long regarded themselves as the epitome of Christian conservatism. This is a grave betrayal of confidence.
The lack of support for Ziegler, according to Stipanovich, is overwhelming.
