Christian Ziegler (politician): Difference between revisions
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According to a police report, Christian Ziegler also admitted taking part in the sex act, as well as to recording the threesome secretly. However, he claimed to be innocent of the charge of assault and declared the report as an "attack" against him, and that he in fact was the victim being "targeted". However, in a subsequent telephone call it was revealed he had tried to apologize to the woman filing the rape claim, offered financial "help" to resolve the issue, and reassured her that Bridget would be joining him for their next ménage à trois.<ref name="weren't believed" /> |
According to a police report, Christian Ziegler also admitted taking part in the sex act, as well as to recording the threesome secretly. However, he claimed to be innocent of the charge of assault and declared the report as an "attack" against him, and that he in fact was the victim being "targeted". However, in a subsequent telephone call it was revealed he had tried to apologize to the woman filing the rape claim, offered financial "help" to resolve the issue, and reassured her that Bridget would be joining him for their next ménage à trois.<ref name="weren't believed" /> |
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Due to the allegations, every statewide elected official and the state legislature's presiding officers (all Republicans) have called on Ziegler to resign.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/649309-marco-rubio-joins-call-for-christian-ziegler-to-resign-or-be-forced-out-as-florida-gop-chair/ |first=Jacob |last=Ogles |access-date=20 December 2023 |work=floridapolitics.com |title=Marco Rubio joins call for Christian Ziegler to resign or be forced out as Florida GOP Chair |date=December 15, 2023 }}</ref> On December 17, 2023, the state party's executive committee lowered his salary to $1, censured him, stripped him of his duties (delegating them to the vice chair, Evan Power), and scheduled an emergency meeting in [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]] for the full party to vote on his removal |
Due to the allegations, every statewide elected official and the state legislature's presiding officers (all Republicans) have called on Ziegler to resign.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://floridapolitics.com/archives/649309-marco-rubio-joins-call-for-christian-ziegler-to-resign-or-be-forced-out-as-florida-gop-chair/ |first=Jacob |last=Ogles |access-date=20 December 2023 |work=floridapolitics.com |title=Marco Rubio joins call for Christian Ziegler to resign or be forced out as Florida GOP Chair |date=December 15, 2023 }}</ref> On December 17, 2023, the state party's executive committee lowered his salary to $1, censured him, stripped him of his duties (delegating them to the vice chair, Evan Power), and scheduled an emergency meeting in [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]] on January 8, 2024 for the full party to vote on his removal if he does not resign.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Adelson |first1=Eric |last2=Mazzei |first2=Patricia |date=2023-12-18 |title=Florida Republicans Strip Powers of Embattled Party Chairman |language=en-US |volume=173 |page=A12 |work=The New York Times |issue=60006 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/17/us/florida-republican-chairman-christian-ziegler.html |access-date=2023-12-17 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 17:42, 21 December 2023
Christian Ziegler | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Florida Republican Party | |
| Assumed office February 12, 2023 Duties stripped: December 17, 2023 – present* | |
| Preceded by | Joe Gruters |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1983 (age 41–42) North Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Bridget Ziegler |
| Education | Florida State University (BA) |
| *Duties delegated to Evan Power. | |
Christian Michael Ziegler is an American politician from Florida. He is the chair of the Florida Republican Party.
Early life and career
Ziegler was born and raised in North Georgia,[1] outside of Atlanta in May 1983. He graduated from Florida State University in 2005[2] and worked for Vern Buchanan's campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2006 elections. After Buchanan won his seat, Ziegler worked for him as a legislative aide.[3]
In 2012, Ziegler ran for a position on the Republican Party of Florida's state committee, representing Sarasota County.[3] He ran for chairman of the state party in 2017,[4] but lost the election to the incumbent, Blaise Ingoglia.[5] In November 2018, he was elected to the county commission of Sarasota County.[6] In early 2019, he was endorsed by Corey Lewandowski for the vice-chairmanship of the state's Republican party.[7] Ziegler occupied that office from 2019 to 2023.[8] On January 6, 2021, Ziegler attended the "Save America" rally that preceded the attack on the United States Capitol.[9] Ziegler did not run for re-election to the county commission in 2022.[6] He was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Florida in February 2023.[10]
Personal life
Ziegler's wife, Bridget Anne (née McGrath), co-founded Moms for Liberty and serves on the Sarasota County School Board that has engaged in controversial actions that have drawn extensive criticism in the community.[11] The Zieglers have been featured as friends of Ron DeSantis and supporters of Donald Trump.[12] DeSantis appointed Bridget to the board overseeing the Florida district taken away from Disney and Trump praised Christian at a rally in November 2023.[12] The Zieglers also have been closely associated with "The Hollow" — an extreme-right educational facility in Sarasota County that teaches bible studies and assault rifle shooting skills to its students.[13]
Allegations of sexual assault
Sarasota police initiated an investigation into Christian Ziegler following an accusation of rape and sexual assault made against him[14] in October 2023 by a woman that took part in a threesome with both Christian and his wife Bridget.[12][15][16] When questioned, Bridget Ziegler admitted to being involved in the sexual relationship.[14] The 911 tape that led to the investigation was released, with the 911 caller reporting that she wanted a wellness check on the victim who she described as a friend. The 911 caller stated that she was worried about the victim who had said she was raped and was afraid to leave the house and stated that she could not go on.[17][18]
According to a police report, Christian Ziegler also admitted taking part in the sex act, as well as to recording the threesome secretly. However, he claimed to be innocent of the charge of assault and declared the report as an "attack" against him, and that he in fact was the victim being "targeted". However, in a subsequent telephone call it was revealed he had tried to apologize to the woman filing the rape claim, offered financial "help" to resolve the issue, and reassured her that Bridget would be joining him for their next ménage à trois.[14]
Due to the allegations, every statewide elected official and the state legislature's presiding officers (all Republicans) have called on Ziegler to resign.[19] On December 17, 2023, the state party's executive committee lowered his salary to $1, censured him, stripped him of his duties (delegating them to the vice chair, Evan Power), and scheduled an emergency meeting in Tallahassee on January 8, 2024 for the full party to vote on his removal if he does not resign.[20]
References
- ^ Perry, Mitch (February 18, 2023). "Christian Ziegler elected as new chair of the Republican Party of Florida". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Perry, Mitch (February 15, 2023). "Florida's major political parties to choose new leaders". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Anderson, Zac (November 26, 2016). "Entwined in politics, Christian Ziegler seeks state position". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Wallace, Jeremy (November 17, 2016). "Sarasota Republican challenges RPOF chairman for post". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Zac (January 14, 2017). "Sarasota's Ziegler falls short in bid to lead Florida GOP". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Hackney, Rachel Brown (July 8, 2022). "With Christian Ziegler choosing not to seek re-election to County Commission, three Democrats and two Republicans will vie to replace him". Sarasota News Leader. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (January 6, 2019). "Corey Lewandowski weighs in on Florida GOP Vice Chair race". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ Perry, Mitch (February 18, 2023). "Christian Ziegler Elected as New Chair of the Republican Party of Florida". Florida Phoenix. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
- ^ Henning, Allyson (January 7, 2021). "Sarasota County commissioner reacts to chaos at U.S. Capitol after attending D.C. rally during work trip". WFLA-TV. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Florida Republicans Pick Christian Ziegler as State Chair". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. February 18, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Craig, Tim (May 6, 2022). "As community veers right, political division tears apart Sarasota, Fla". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ a b c Norman, Bob (November 30, 2023). "Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler, husband of Moms For Liberty cofounder, accused of sexual battery by alleged ménage à trois lover". The Bradenton Times. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Michelle R. (October 18, 2022). "How Michael Flynn goes local to spread Christian nationalism". Associated Press. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c Norman, Bob (December 4, 2023). "Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler has claimed he's been falsely accused, but judge and police found probable cause he committed sexual battery". The Florida Trident. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Zac (November 30, 2023). "Florida GOP chair accused of sexual battery; attorney says he'll be exonerated". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Norman, Bob (November 30, 2023). "Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler, husband of Moms For Liberty cofounder, accused of sexual assault by alleged menage a trois lover". Florida Center for Government Accountability. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ Alfred, Kate Briquelet (December 2, 2023). "911 Call and Affidavit Reveal Chilling Claims in Florida GOP Chair Rape Probe". Daily Beast. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Wendling, Mike (December 1, 2023). "Top Florida Republican official faces sexual assault investigation". BBC News. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Ogles, Jacob (December 15, 2023). "Marco Rubio joins call for Christian Ziegler to resign or be forced out as Florida GOP Chair". floridapolitics.com. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
- ^ Adelson, Eric; Mazzei, Patricia (December 18, 2023). "Florida Republicans Strip Powers of Embattled Party Chairman". The New York Times. Vol. 173, no. 60006. p. A12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 17, 2023.