Florida’s Republican Party Chairman, Christian Ziegler, is under a criminal investigation by the Sarasota Police Department (SPD) after a woman accused the GOP leader of sexual battery.
The accuser’s name is not in the police report but indicates the case is an “active criminal investigation.” All other details for the investigation are redacted.
Mr. Ziegler, previously a Sarasota County Commissioner before becoming the Florida GOP Chairman in February, is the husband of Bridget Ziegler, current Sarasota County School Board (SCSB) member and co-founder of Moms for Liberty.
Mom’s for Liberty co-founders Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich defended Mrs. Ziegler.
“Bridget was an original founder of Moms for Liberty, but she stepped back from the organization’s management board in 2021.
“We have learned long ago to not believe everything we read online, and we are confident she will get to tell her side of things to those who are interested in more than clickbait,” the two co-founders said in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.
A spokesperson from the SCSB declined to comment.
Mr. DeSantis called on Mr. Ziegler to step down while speaking with reporters following the Nov. 30 debate with California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“I don’t see how he can continue with that investigation ongoing, given the gravity of those situations,” Mr. DeSantis said.
“And so, I think he should step aside. I think he should tend to that. He’s innocent until proven guilty, but we just can’t have a party chair that is under that type of scrutiny.
“And so, I hope that—I hope the charges aren’t true. I’ve known him, I’ve known Bridget; they’ve been friends. But the mission is more important.”
The Epoch Times reached out to both Mr. Ziegler and Mrs. Ziegler individually for comment.
Mr. Ziegler’s attorney, Derek Byrd, provided a written statement to The Epoch Times defending his client, saying he is confident Mr. Ziegler will be exonerated.
“We acknowledge the reports that there is an investigation being conducted by the Sarasota Police Department regarding Mr. Ziegler.
“Mr. Ziegler has been fully cooperative with every request made by the Sarasota Police Department,” Mr. Byrd said.
“We are confident that once the police investigation is concluded that no charges will be filed, and Mr. Ziegler will be completely exonerated.
“Unfortunately, public figures are often accused of acts that they did not commit, whether it be for political purposes or financial gain. I would caution anyone to rush to judgment until the investigation is concluded,” he continued.
The Republican Party of Sarasota County released its statement regarding the allegations against both Mr. Ziegler and Mrs. Ziegler.
“We are shocked and disappointed to hear of the reports concerning Republican Party of Florida Chair and Sarasota County State Committeeman Christian Ziegler and his wife, Sarasota County School Board Member Bridget Ziegler.
“The Republican Party takes all such allegations of potential criminal conduct very seriously and will fully cooperate with investigators,” it reads.
The Republican Party of Florida could not be reached for comment.
The committee’s phone appeared disconnected or malfunctioning when a reporter tried to reach the office before publication.
John Roberts, chairman of Escambia County’s Republican Party in Florida’s panhandle, was frustrated with the allegations against Mr. Ziegler.
“This is another attempt to smear a good conservative with totally phony charges from an anonymous source. Pure false garbage! The Republican Party will not be distracted.
“Instead, we will charge forward to build our organization of dedicated volunteers and elect Republicans this coming November,” Mr. Roberts told The Epoch Times.
Other Republican leaders in Florida are coming to Mr. Ziegler’s defense as well.
Raemi Eagle-Glenn is an attorney and the State Committee Woman for the Alachua County Republicans. She first met Mr. Ziegler in 2019 during an event in her community and said he took her “under his wing.”
“Immediately, I did not believe it; it’s salacious,” she said. “I have told my friend Christian Ziegler that if he sees a way through this, that he needs to stand strong and not resign.”
However, when asked if she would accept prosecutors’ conclusions if the criminal investigation produces concrete forensic evidence of either sexual misconduct or an alleged three-way relationship between the Zieglers and the accuser, Ms. Eagle-Glenn said: “Of course.”
“You know, at this point, I believe that it’s all baseless claims,” she said. “However, [that would change] if the investigation goes through and produces evidence.”
“I’m an attorney. And because I’m an attorney, I believe that you are innocent until proven guilty,” Ms. Eagle-Glenn added.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who was recently investigated for sexual misconduct by the Department of Justice before being exonerated in February, defended Mr. Ziegler.
“Given my experience, I tend to wait for the facts to come out before rendering judgment,” he said in an email to The Epoch Times.
The top Democrat in Florida was quick to condemn Mr. Ziegler amid the criminal investigation into his conduct.
Nikki Fried, chairwoman for the Florida Democratic Party and previous Florida Agricultural Commissioner, called for Mr. Ziegler’s immediate resignation in a written statement.
“As leaders in the Florida GOP and Moms for Liberty, the Zieglers have made a habit out of attacking anything they perceive as going against ‘family values’—be it reproductive rights or the existence of LGBT Floridians,” Ms. Fried said.
“The level of hypocrisy in this situation is stunning.”
During Mr. Ziegler’s rise within the Florida Republican Party, he became associated with major figures in the state GOP, including former President Donald Trump.
Mr. Trump called out the Florida GOP Chair by name in a speech at the “Florida Freedom Summit” in November, saying Mr. Ziegler is doing a “fantastic job” in the state.
The Epoch Times sought comment from President Trump’s campaign spokesman but received no response before publication.
