A Florida Republican Party emergency meeting suspended Christian Ziegler as chairman and demanded his resignation.
Florida GOP Chairman Faces Rape Investigation, Urged to Resign
Police are investigating Ziegler for rape. High-ranking authorities including Governor Ron DeSantis want Ziegler to quit. Ziegler and Bridget are charged with raping a willing partner.
Ziegler defended himself in the closed-door meeting, but the party board suspended him promptly. His behavior made Ziegler unfit for office, the party’s censure motion said. The executive committee will reconsider Ziegler’s removal. Ziegler says the interaction was consensual and denies misconduct.
Ziegler is being investigated by Sarasota Police for raping a lady at her home in October. Bridget Ziegler was unavailable when the Zieglers and the woman were meant to meet consensually, according to police documents. Christian Ziegler reportedly assaulted the accuser while she was away.
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Call for Resignation: Sarasota School Board Member Faces Fallout Amid GOP Chairman’s Rape Investigation
The accusation also harmed Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler. The board voted to request her resignation owing to the situation. Bridget Ziegler won’t quit. The Zieglers’ staunch LGBTQ+ rights opposition has been criticized for hypocrisy, given their relationship with another woman.
Governor DeSantis, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, Representative Matt Gaetz, and Republican House and Senate leaders want Christian Ziegler gone. Police are investigating and the Florida GOP may take further action.