In a recent development, the largest police union in Florida has endorsed Governor Ron DeSantis for president, garnering attention from both Republicans and Democrats. However, amidst this endorsement, a Florida school board has passed a resolution calling for the resignation of Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of the conservative Moms for Liberty group and wife of the state’s Republican Party chairman, Christian Ziegler. The resolution comes in the wake of an alleged sex scandal involving the Zieglers, which has sparked media scrutiny and divided public opinion.
The Sarasota County School Board, in a 4-1 vote, expressed their desire for Bridget Ziegler to step down from her position on the board, citing concerns over “irreparable harmful distractions” caused by the scandal. While the resolution is not legally binding, it sends a strong message that the board wants her ousted. However, only Florida’s Republican governor has the authority to remove a school board member under specific conditions, such as criminal charges.
Christian Ziegler, who has been accused of raping a woman in her Sarasota home, denies the allegations and has not been charged with a crime at the time of this reporting. Bridget Ziegler had previously told the police that she, the victim, and her husband engaged in consensual sexual activity for over a year before the alleged crime occurred. Text messages cited in the affidavit reveal plans for group sex on the day in question, which the victim backed out of after Bridget was unable to attend.
Bridget Ziegler, known for her conservative advocacy against certain school curricula, including LGBT issues, race and ethnicity, and critical race theory, has been facing criticism from Democrats and other critics who deem her alleged sexual activities contradictory to her conservative views. Despite the resolution and public pressure, Bridget voted against stepping down and gave no indication of resignation.
Outside the school board meeting, several dozen people protested, calling for Bridget’s resignation with signs reading “Ban Bridget, not books” and “Real women aren’t homophobes.” Meanwhile, Christian Ziegler faces a vote on Sunday to remove him from his job, which pays $120,000 a year, in light of the rape allegations and the alleged affair. Despite calls for his resignation from Governor Ron DeSantis and other state Republican leaders, Christian has refused to step down.
As this scandal continues to unfold, it highlights the complexities and divisions within the Republican Party in Florida. It also raises questions about the personal lives of politicians and their alignment with their public personas. The resolution passed by the school board serves as a reminder of the impact of personal scandals on individuals’ professional positions and the need for accountability in public office.
This article was written by Michael Dorgan for Digital and Fox Business, with contributions from Pilar Arias, Jessica Chasmar, and The Associated Press.
