Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler is reportedly under a criminal investigation for allegations of sexual battery, including rape, according to a complaint filed with the Sarasota Police Department. The 13-page report released is heavily redacted, providing scarce details beyond the mention of “rape” and a date of “10/02/2023” in connection with a sexual battery incident that occurred in Sarasota.
While Ziegler’s name does not explicitly appear in the redacted document, it’s been confirmed by sources that he is the focus of the investigation. Ziegler is allegedly cooperating with the Sarasota Police Department, with his attorney expressing confidence that no charges will be filed and he’ll be exonerated. The attorney also cautioned against rushing to judgment before the investigation is concluded, citing that public figures are often falsely accused.
Ziegler and his wife are prominent Republicans in Florida; he leads the state’s Republican Party, while Bridget Ziegler is a school choice advocate and helped start Moms for Liberty. The group recently faced backlash over a now-deleted post in response to the allegations against Ziegler, with members expressing their confidence that Bridget would get to tell her side of the story to those genuinely interested in the truth.
Bridget Ziegler is also a member of the Sarasota County School Board and was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to a tourism oversight district, which includes the business operations of Walt Disney World.
Rumors of the investigation have set off a chain of reaction among Florida’s political circles, with the state’s GOP scrambling as the 2024 elections draw near. The scandal involving Ziegler is unfolding following the spotlight of the state’s Republican Freedom Summit, where he shared the stage with high-profile GOP presidential candidates.
The Florida Republican Party has remained largely silent on the allegations against Ziegler, emphasizing that they are aware of the situation but will refrain from commenting on an ongoing investigation.
Since becoming party chairman in February, Ziegler’s leadership has been associated with significant staff turnover, leading some to speculate that the party is undergoing a shift, particularly with the 2024 presidential election cycle on the horizon.
The Florida Democratic Party has called for Ziegler’s resignation, highlighting the severity of the allegations and the importance of a thorough investigation.
