Rick Scott Calls On Florida GOP Chair To Step Down Amid Sexual Assault Scandal

Last week, Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler was accused of sexual assault by a woman he and his wife had a consensual sexual relationship with.

A few days after the charges were filed, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other local politicians called on Ziegler to step down from his position as party chairman, which he has refused to do.

Desantis, every member of the Cabinet, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and Rick Scott all call on Christian Ziegler to resign. (Not Ron Filipkowski and the libs). But he still refuses. https://t.co/X7D5HRxsjU

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 5, 2023

On Tuesday Senator Rick Scott, a longtime friend of his, asked Ziegler to resign from his position as party chair.

.@SenRickScott says @ChrisMZiegler should resign after 'disturbing' rape allegations

Reporting by @JacobOgles https://t.co/fNjOSwCoKl #FlaPol

— Florida Politics (@Fla_Pol) December 5, 2023

From The Hill:

Scott stressed that the chair, Christian Ziegler, is innocent until proven guilty, but he expressed concern about Ziegler’s ability to perform as the party’s state leader “while this cloud hovers over him.”

“I’m very concerned about the reports I’ve read. The allegations are very disturbing. Everyone deserves their day in court and Christian and Bridget have been friends of mine throughout my career,” Scott said in a statement, referring to the chairman and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, who is also a prominent figure in Florida GOP politics. She co-founded Moms for Liberty.

“The Party has a very important decision before it, and the decision has to be made on what is best for winning elections in 2024. I don’t see how Christian can continue to successfully act as Chairman while this cloud hovers over him. I’m praying for everyone involved in this,” Scott added.

Scott joins other high-profile GOP officials calling for Ziegler to step down from his post. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a 2024 GOP presidential candidate, also called on him to step down amid the ongoing investigation.

“I don’t see how he can continue with that investigation ongoing, given the gravity of those situations,” DeSantis told reporters Thursday night.

DeSantis is calling for Christian Ziegler, the FL GOP chair who is facing allegations of sexual battery, to resign. https://t.co/xCYKv5MUcJ via @AlecAHernandez pic.twitter.com/3QOFI2vsfF

— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) December 1, 2023

The backlash comes after The Florida Trident, part of the Florida Center for Government Accountability, first reported on the investigation. The alleged victim, whose name is redacted in the police report, says she has known Ziegler for 20 years. She told police that Ziegler forced his way into her apartment and raped her Oct. 2.

The 911 Tape from the criminal investigation of Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler. pic.twitter.com/FtFLn2n6bt

— Nikki Barnes (@NikkiBarnesFL) December 2, 2023

There have been no charges filed against Ziegler, but the case remains “active,” according to local police. Ziegler has denied the accusations of assault, but he told detectives Nov. 2 that he had sex with the alleged victim and that it was consensual.

Ziegler has so far refused to resign.

Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler said he has no intentions of stepping down after a woman accused him of rape. “We have a country to save and I am not going to let false allegations of a crime put that mission on the bench,” he said.https://t.co/7E10pJhqZE

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) December 3, 2023