Florida Republican Social gathering suspends chairman and calls for his resignation amid rape investigation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Republican Social gathering of Florida suspended Chairman Christian Ziegler and demanded his resignation throughout an emergency assembly Sunday, including to calls by Gov. Ron DeSantis and different prime officers for him to step down as police investigate a rape accusation against him.

Ziegler is accused of raping a lady with whom he and his spouse, Mothers for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, had a previous consensual sexual relationship, in line with police information.

“Christian Ziegler has engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the workplace,” the get together’s movement to censure Ziegler mentioned, in line with a doc posted on the social media platform X by Lee County GOP Chairman Michael Thomason.

Ziegler tried to defend himself in the course of the closed-door assembly, however the get together board rapidly took the motion towards him, Thompson mentioned.

“Ziegler on cleaning soap field attempting to defend himself, not working,” Thompson posted earlier than confirming the votes.

The get together’s government committee will maintain one other vote sooner or later on whether or not to take away Ziegler.

The Sarasota Police Division is investigating the girl’s accusation that Ziegler raped her at her condominium in October. Police paperwork say the Zieglers and the girl had deliberate a sexual threesome that day, however Bridget Ziegler was unable to make it. The accuser says Christian Ziegler arrived anyway and assaulted her.

Christian Ziegler has not been charged with against the law and says he is innocent, contending the encounter was consensual.

The accusation additionally has precipitated turmoil for Bridget Ziegler, an elected member of the Sarasota College Board, although she will not be accused of any crime. On Tuesday the board voted to ask her to resign. She refused.

The couple have been outspoken opponents of LGBTQ+ rights, and their relationship with one other lady has sparked criticism and accusations of hypocrisy.

Along with DeSantis, Republican Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and Florida’s Republican Home and Senate leaders have all referred to as for Christian Ziegler’s resignation.