Florida GOP Removes Christian Ziegler as Chairman over Rape Allegation

The Florida Republican Party on Monday voted to remove chairman Christian Ziegler after it was reported last month that the Sarasota County Police Department started investigating a rape allegation against him.

Ziegler allegedly raped a woman with whom he and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, had a previous three-way sexual relationship, according to a search warrant affidavit released on December 1. In early October, the alleged victim told police that the state Republican figure “sexually assaulted” her at her home while his wife was absent.

A majority of the members of the Florida GOP’s executive committee agreed to oust Ziegler during a closed-door meeting in Tallahassee following the chairman’s refusal to step down. Governor Ron DeSantis and other prominent Florida Republicans, including state senate president Kathleen Passidomo and state house speaker Paul Renner, have called for his resignation in the past month due to the salacious accusation.