Florida’s Republican Party Chairman Under Investigation for Rape Allegations
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Christian Ziegler, the chairman of Florida’s Republican Party, is currently being investigated for allegations of rape. Despite no charges being filed at this stage, Ziegler’s lawyer firmly believes that he will be exonerated.
The timing of this investigation is particularly crucial for the Republican Party of Florida. With former President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis both running for president, the state GOP is focused on reelecting U.S. Senator Rick Scott. Furthermore, Florida played a pivotal role in Republicans’ slim majority win in the U.S. House in 2022, making it imperative for the party to defend their newly acquired seats.
The Florida Center for Government Accountability was the first to publicly report about the ongoing investigation into Christian Ziegler, who is married to Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of Moms for Liberty. When the Associated Press requested documents from the Sarasota Police Department regarding the investigation, they received a heavily redacted incident report. While the report includes mentions of rape and sexual assault, any reference to Ziegler himself has been redacted.
In response to the investigation, Ziegler’s lawyer, Derek Byrd, stated, Mr. Ziegler has been fully cooperative with every request made by the Sarasota Police Department. Unfortunately, public figures are often accused of acts they did not commit, whether for political purposes or financial gain. I would caution anyone from rushing to judgment until the investigation is concluded.
The police report was filed on October 4th, detailing an incident that occurred two days earlier in a private residence.
Democrats swiftly seized the opportunity to politicize the investigation. State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried applauded the accuser’s bravery for stepping forward against such a powerful political figure, stating, Ziegler can’t possibly continue to lead the Florida GOP under these conditions.
Christian Ziegler became chairman of the party in February, just three months after DeSantis secured a resounding reelection victory, with Florida being one of the few bright spots for Republicans nationwide.
Ziegler and his wife, Bridget, are considered a prominent Republican power couple. Bridget Ziegler serves on the Sarasota County School Board and has gained national attention for her involvement with Moms for Liberty, a group advocating for a conservative agenda in public schools. Their focus includes perspectives on civil and LGBTQ rights, as well as education on the experiences of marginalized communities.
Notably, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Bridget Ziegler to a state-created board overseeing development on Disney World property after a feud between DeSantis and Disney arose when the entertainment company opposed his efforts to ban instruction on LGBTQ topics in public schools.
While awaiting the conclusion of the investigation, many are closely monitoring its impact on the Republican Party of Florida, especially given the upcoming elections and their ambitions at both the state and national levels. As the investigation progresses, further details may arise, shedding light on the situation. Ultimately, the outcome will have significant implications for Christian Ziegler’s political career and the future of the Florida Republican Party.
