Florida GOP votes to oust chairman amid rape accusations

Ziegler's ouster occurred in a closed-door vote, with state Vice Chairman Evan Power subsequently replacing him.

By Ben Whedon

Published: January 8, 2024 3:22pm

The Florida state Republican Party on Monday voted to remove its chairman amid an ongoing rape investigation against him.

Christian Ziegler and his wife, Bridget, have admitted to a consensual three-way sexual relationship with the women accusing him, according to the Associated Press. He faces allegations that he raped the woman at her home in October after she was not able to attend a planned threesome. Ziegler contends the sexual encounter was consensual.

Ziegler's ouster occurred in a closed-door vote, with state Vice Chairman Evan Power subsequently replacing him.

"We have to move past this and have to focus on 2024... Florida’s one of the most important states for the Republicans and we have to continue to bring home victories, especially for Rick Scott and the top of the ticket with Trump as our nominee, eventually," Ziegler's predecessor, state Sen. Joe Gruters, said.

The Sarasota Police Department is currently investigating the accusations and neither Christian nor Bridget Ziegler have been charged with any crimes.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.