The Republican Party of Florida has suspended its Chairman, Christian Ziegler, amidst police investigations into a rape accusation against him.
Ziegler has been accused of assaulting a woman, with whom he and his wife, Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, previously had a consensual sexual relationship. A statement released by the party noted, “Christian Ziegler has engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the office,” according to a document posted by Lee County GOP Chairman Michael Thomason. The party looks to continue procedural actions against Ziegler, with a vote set to be held by the executive committee on his removal.
The investigation is being led by the Sarasota Police Department and stems from an accusation by a woman claiming that Ziegler raped her in her apartment in October. According to the police documentation, the initial plan was a sexual threesome involving Christian, Bridget Ziegler, and the accuser. Bridget Ziegler, however, was unable to participate, and the woman claims that Christian Ziegler arrived alone and committed the alleged assault. In defense, Christian Ziegler, yet to face legal charges, insists the encounter was consensual.
Ziegler is a long-standing political ally of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, heaping praise on the presidential candidate the 2022 mid-term elections, saying, “The credit goes to our chief executive, because he’s kind of our chief brand officer.”
