A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis is doubling down on urging the embattled Chair of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) to step down amid rape accusations.
In new comments, DeSantis described Christian Ziegler’s “untenable situation” as party Chair, noted that other leaders in the party want him gone. DeSantis was clear in saying that Ziegler remaining as the leader of the Florida GOP gets in the way of the “mission.”
“I said that the other night when it came out, it’s, look, you’re innocent until proven guilty. There’s clearly things that are lodged against people that aren’t necessarily true. But I think when you have an investigation of crimes of this magnitude, I think that the mission has to come first. It is not helpful to the mission to have this hanging over his head,” DeSantis said.
A Sarasota Police report shows an investigation has been underway since Oct. 4, and that a woman accused Ziegler of a rape on Oct. 2, an incident alleged to have happened just hours before Ziegler attended a local Republican meeting in the same town.
The accuser previously had a sexual encounter with both Ziegler and his wife, Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler. But on the occasion of the alleged assault, Christian Ziegler was alone with the alleged victim.
“I’ve said he should step aside. Paul Renner, the Speaker. Kathleen (Passidomo), Senate President. I think most people acknowledge that it’s just an untenable situation when you have things like that there. And so we’ll see what ends up happening. But I don’t know that you have any real standing with that hanging over you,” DeSantis added Tuesday.
DeSantis had previously said regarding Ziegler that he didn’t “see how he can continue with that investigation ongoing given the gravity of those situations.”
Ziegler has thus far rebuffed any calls to resign, but indications are the party could move to remove him.
Vice Chairman Evan Power wants a special meeting in Orlando on Dec. 17. The agenda includes potential censure or discipline for Ziegler following party rules. That includes determining if Ziegler must be deemed unfit for office and whether his actions have hurt the “good name of the RPOF.”
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Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics contributed to this report.
12 comments
Impeach Biden
December 5, 2023 at 12:07 pm
I’m dissapointed that our Governor is giving in to the WOKE mob on this issue. I’m sick of feminist woke communist propaganda that says rape is a crime.
The Bible is very clear that rape is NOT a sin.
JD
December 5, 2023 at 1:35 pm
You’re kidding right?
So you are condoning rape because it’s not a SIN? I cannot think of anything more violating.
I’m sure a bunch of prisoners taking a biblical style gang bang on your assh0le is OK then. The potential gay part might be a sin, but the forced sodomy isn’t according to your post.
rick whitaker
December 5, 2023 at 1:53 pm
JD, no, that impeach biden nut is not kidding. iv’e read lots of his posts and all of them are maga cult crazy. he hates biden because he is 3 years older than his orange jesus trump. his hero trump is a serial rapist, so he wants to support his hero. i am frequently amazed at the flawed thinking,or lack of thinking that maga cultist’ demonstrate.
Impeach Biden
December 5, 2023 at 2:10 pm
NOT kidding. Read your bible JD.
This Feminist WOKE propaganda about rape is a disaster.
Women are OURS for the taking. God man women to serve and pleasure men. That’s their only use.
Nikki Haley needs to know her place and go back to the kitchen.
JD
December 5, 2023 at 2:21 pm
Thank GOD we’re a nation of laws and not bibles.
Florida Statutes 775.082, s. 775.083, s. 775.084, or s. 794.0115 beg to differ in your opinion.
Also:
Deuteronomy 22:25-27 deals with a situation where a man rapes a betrothed woman in the countryside. The text prescribes the death penalty for the man, but not for the woman, on the basis that she cried out for help but there was no one to rescue her. This passage is often interpreted as recognizing the seriousness of rape.
My Take
December 5, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Yet GOPer rapist Trump is A-OK .
Impeach Biden
December 5, 2023 at 2:11 pm
“Rape” isn’t a real crime. It’s woke feminist nonsense.
JD
December 5, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Again, Deuteronomy 22:25-27, but also 2 Samuel 13 (The Story of Tamar and Amnon): This chapter narrates the story of Tamar, who is raped by her half-brother Amnon. This incident is condemned in the narrative and leads to significant family strife and tragedy, reflecting the serious consequences of such actions.
Genesis 34 (The Story of Dinah): Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, is said to have been defiled by Shechem, a prince of the region. This event leads to violent retaliation by her brothers. The narrative highlights the social and familial turmoil that follows such an act.
I am sure there are others if I look but most Christian denominations and Jewish traditions unequivocally consider rape to be a grievous sin and a serious crime, emphasizing the fundamental principles of human dignity, respect, and justice.
My Take
December 5, 2023 at 1:20 pm
KC for Chair of RPOF !!
PeterH
December 5, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Hopefully Florida’s media will investigate the personal family lives of all those connected to “Mom’s for Liberty!” Start interviewing Mom’s For Liberty neighbors, children, coworkers and employers. Sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Republicans are America’s worst enemy!
Vote all Republicans out of office.
rick whitaker
December 5, 2023 at 8:33 pm
christian nationalist’ live in glass houses
MH/Duuuval
December 6, 2023 at 7:15 pm
Until Zeigler is brought before a jury, he twists in the wind — which is bad for MAGA and that is why there will be a summary dismissal by the party insiders at an upcoming special meeting.
Comments are closed.