Christian Ziegler, the embattled party boss, was removed as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida during an emergency executive committee meeting in Tallahassee on Jan. 8.
Ziegler is accused of raping a woman who was in a throuple with the GOP chairman and his wife, Sarasota County school board member Bridget Ziegler. Police are still investigating the allegations, which include questionable videos and social media correspondence.
Ultimately, the scandal cost Ziegler his job.
“Christian Ziegler, in addition to the appalling rape allegations against him, deployed disgusting anti-LGBTQ rhetoric to fundraise and support candidates pushing even more discriminatory legislation that helps no one,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD.
In 2021, Bridget Ziegler co-founded Moms for Liberty, a group that promoted book bans and censorship of LGBTQ and race related content. Like her husband, Bridget Ziegler has refused calls to resign.
In a closed door meeting, attended by several high ranking Republicans, Ziegler was ousted as party chair and vice chair Evan Power was elevated into the position.
Citing statistics showing that 4.6% of Florida’s 21 million people are LGBTQ, Ellis said it is vital to speak out against tactics that helped the Zieglers rise to power.
“Every American must use their voices and votes to speak out against extremist anti-LGBTQ agendas, hold every elected official and leader accountable for their words and behavior, and speak up for everyone’s fundamental freedoms,” Ellis said.
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