In a crucial development, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Christian Ziegler, found himself censured and stripped of his duties and salary in an emergency meeting held in Orlando on Sunday. This decision comes as Ziegler faces a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual assault. While the party’s executive committee stopped short of immediately ousting Ziegler, the votes to declare him unfit for office and significantly curtail his authority are perceived by many as precursors to his potential removal. The 40-year-old chairman, who has been under investigation in Sarasota since October, attended the meeting, apologizing to the executive committee but arguing against the legitimacy of the proceedings. Despite his protests, the unanimous votes against him signal a significant shift within the party.
Ziegler has been under investigation since a woman accused him of sexual assault in October, and while he has not been charged, the criminal probe has cast a shadow over his leadership. The emergency meeting’s outcome signifies the party’s acknowledgment of the seriousness of the allegations and their potential impact on Ziegler’s ability to lead effectively, especially as the party approaches a critical presidential election year. Evan Power, the state party’s vice chairman, emphasized the distraction posed by the investigation, making it untenable for Ziegler to lead fundraising efforts and galvanize the party. The decision to reduce Ziegler’s salary to $1 and strip him of authority serves as a clear message about the party’s stance on his leadership.
Despite the ongoing criminal investigation, Ziegler has staunchly refused to resign, resisting pressure from various quarters, including Governor Ron DeSantis and county-level party officials. The emergency meeting’s outcome establishes a pathway for Ziegler’s potential removal from office, with the entire state party set to convene on January 8 in Tallahassee. If Ziegler hasn’t resigned by then, the party aims to officially remove him and elect a new chairman.
In the lead-up to the meeting, there were rumors of discussions about a potential buyout for Ziegler’s departure, with figures reaching up to $2 million. However, this proposition didn’t gain widespread support, and the emergency meeting proceeded with the censure and reduction of duties. Ziegler’s refusal to step down despite mounting pressure highlights the complexities within the party regarding the handling of the allegations against him.
Ziegler’s legal team has maintained his innocence, stating that the investigation will ultimately result in his exoneration. The criminal probe centers around allegations made by a woman who claims Ziegler sexually assaulted her. Ziegler, in his statement to the police, asserted that the encounter was consensual. The investigation is ongoing, and the outcome remains uncertain.
The controversy has also drawn attention to Ziegler’s wife, Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota County School Board member and co-founder of the right-wing activist group Moms for Liberty. She confirmed her involvement in a previous sexual encounter with the accuser, leading to calls for her resignation. Despite the Sarasota County School Board’s recent vote urging her to resign, Bridget Ziegler has also refused to step down, prompting accusations of hypocrisy.
The Zieglers, once rising political stars in Florida, especially within Sarasota’s right-wing activism, now face a precarious political landscape. Before the scandal, their influence was on the ascent, with Bridget Ziegler campaigning alongside Governor DeSantis and subsequently being appointed to a state board overseeing Disney World. Christian Ziegler’s alignment with former President Donald J. Trump was a key factor in his election as the state party chairman in February.
As the party grapples with internal strife, the emergency meeting’s decisions have set the stage for a pivotal moment in the Florida Republican Party’s leadership, with potential implications for the upcoming election year and the party’s public image. The criminal investigation into Ziegler’s conduct adds a layer of uncertainty, making his continued leadership untenable for many party members. The January 8 meeting in Tallahassee will be a crucial juncture in determining the party’s leadership moving forward.
