Florida GOP Chairman Under Scrutiny: Sexual Battery Investigation Details Emerge
Christian Ziegler is the Chairman of the Florida Republican Party. His wife, Bridget Ziegler, is the co-founder of Moms for Liberty, an anti-LGBTQ extremist organization. Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is a close personal friend of the Zieglers. DeSantis appointed Bridget to the board overseeing Disney’s Orlando theme parks. She is also the best friend of Casey DeSantis, the First Lady of Florida, according to Peter Schorsch, the Publisher of Florida Politics.
Promoting Hatred Against the LGBTQ Community
The Zieglers have actively promoted hatred against the Florida LGBTQ community. According to the Daily Beast, Bridget Ziegler took credit for authoring Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay Bill”. Her husband has made statements suggesting that those opposed to Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies leave the state. The Florida GOP has been accused of fostering hatred against the LGBTQ community, especially targeting LGBTQ school children. According to PBS, 41% of surveyed LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in the past year.
Bridget Ziegler’s Role in LGBTQ Colleague Smear
Bridget, a busy woman, is also the Chairwoman of the Sarasota County School Board. As Chairwoman, she permitted homophobic attacks against Tom Edwards, the school board’s only openly gay member. Understandably, Edwards responded to these attacks by walking out. Her husband, Christian, pounced on this by attacking Edwards on social media, calling him “Tommy Drama”.
Ziegler then criticized Edward’s ability to handle criticism.
The Criminal Investigation Into Christian Ziegler
The victim alleged that Ziegler entered her apartment and sexually assaulted her, stating, “Christian did not wear a condom, and he said, ‘I’m leaving the same way I came in.’”
Surveillance footage confirmed Ziegler’s presence at the apartment.
During a police interview, with his attorney present, Ziegler claimed the sexual encounter was consensual and referred to a video he initially deleted but later uploaded to his Google Drive.
The ongoing investigation includes a forensic examination of Christian Ziegler’s phone.
The unidentified victim expressed suicidal thoughts to a friend, who subsequently alerted the police.
The friend described the victim as appearing intoxicated, fearful of leaving her home, and mentioning being raped.
Both Bridget and Christian Ziegler have acknowledged a consensual sexual relationship with the victim.
The Republican Party of Sarasota County expressed shock and disappointment, pledging full cooperation with the investigation.
Bibliography:
- The Daily Beast. “Gay Board Member Attacked by Zieglers Slams Their Hypocrisy Amid Sex Scandal.” 2023. The Daily Beast Article
- Florida Politics. “Police investigating Christian Ziegler for sexual battery.” 2023. Florida Politics Report
- PBS. “41% of surveyed LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in the past year.” 2023. PBS Report
- POLITICO. “Christian Ziegler investigated over alleged sexual assault.” 2023. POLITICO News
- Space Coast Rock. “Both Zieglers admit to sexual relationship with another woman to detectives.” 2023. Space Coast Rock News
- Tampa Bay Times. “Head of Florida Republican Party accused of sexual battery, under investigation.” 2023. Tampa Bay Times Report
- Variety. “Ron DeSantis Appoints ‘Parental Rights’ Advocate to Oversee Disney World.” 2023. Variety News
- Your Observer. “Christian Ziegler under police investigation for sexual battery.” 2023. Your Observer News
