Share this @internewscast.com

The Republican Party of Florida on Monday removed Christian Ziegler as its chairman as he faces allegations of rape and video voyeurism.

The vote, which came during an emergency meeting in Tallahassee, was largely expected after the Sarasota Police Department’s rape investigation into him became public last month. The party selected Evan Power, its former vice chairman, to serve as the new chairman. Power had the support of most prominent Florida Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Ziegler was not in attendance for the vote. 

“Congratulations to our new Chairman, @EvanPower,” the party posted on X. “Under his strong leadership, we will Keep Florida RED, deliver Florida’s 30 electoral votes to the GOP presidential candidate, and elect Republicans up and down the ballot. Let’s get to work!”

Four sources in the room said that there were very few people who expressed support for Ziegler remaining as chair, thought it’s unclear the exact number because it was a voice vote.

“I believe it was almost unanimous vote to remove Christian Ziegler, which I believe is the absolute right thing to do,” a source told NBC News. “And I want to reiterate that we are spending a lot of time and energy on this, on this meeting instead of focusing on the things we need to focus on, and that’s simply because Christian Ziegler did not do the right thing and resign.”

Ziegler is facing allegations, which were first reported by the Florida Center for Government Accountability, that he raped a Sarasota woman he and his wife, Bridget, had known for 20 years and with whom they had had past sexual encounters.

Before an early October encounter, Bridget said she could not attend and the woman canceled. Christian, however, still showed up at her apartment and raped her, according to court records.

Ziegler has maintained his innocence and refused to step down as Florida GOP chair, which prompted Monday’s emergency meeting.

Power, the new chairman, lost his race against Ziegler during the 2023 race, but in recent weeks the party’s biggest names endorsed him to take over. The only other candidate was Republican National Committeeman Peter Faeman.

Along with rape allegations, the Sarasota County Police Department expanded its investigation last week into whether Ziegler illegally filmed a sexual encounter with the woman, according to a search warrant affidavit a judge approved Dec. 8 that sought access to Ziegler’s social media messages.

The woman told police, according to the affidavit, that she did not consent to Christian Ziegler recording the encounter.

The investigation has gotten national attention because both Christian and Bridget are prominent Florida Republicans. Bridget is a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a nationwide group that tries to get conservative women elected to local school boards.

Bridget is not accused of any legal wrongdoing, but she has faced critics who say she is a hypocrite for focusing on conservative policy issues that in many cases center on passing anti-LGBTQ laws.

Most notably, Bridget has publicly taken credit for helping write a DeSantis-championed bill that prevented the discussion of gender identity or sexual preference in classrooms up to third grade. Supporters said it was about empowering parents, while opponents dubbed it the “don’t say gay” bill.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
'#SKYKING' director on the true story of a man who stole a commercial airplane for one last joyride

Unveiling the Thrilling True Story Behind ‘#SKYKING’: The Man Who Stole a Commercial Jet for a Final Adventure

In a tale that captivated the nation back in 2018, the story…
Eric Swalwell's billionaire benefactor Stephen Cloobeck details last conversation with disgraced politician

Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck Shares Insights from Final Discussion with Eric Swalwell

Eric Swalwell’s political career has taken a dramatic downturn, exacerbated by a…
NTSB launches 3-day investigative hearing on deadly DC plane crash

Urgent Aviation Safety Bill: House Set to Vote After Tragic DC Midair Collision

On Tuesday, House lawmakers are poised to cast their votes on a…
Florida doctor accused of fatally removing organ from patient arrested for botched operation

Florida Surgeon Arrested After Patient Dies During Controversial Procedure

A Florida physician has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after allegedly removing…
'It seemed like a lifetime': Pilot recounts emergency landing on Phoenix street

Pilot Shares Harrowing Experience of Emergency Landing on Phoenix Street

Inside the vintage 1940s seaplane, the pilot shared his account of the…
Army Vet Jim Whittaker, First American on Everest, Dies at 97

Renowned Mountaineer and Army Veteran Jim Whittaker, First American to Conquer Everest, Passes Away at 97

Heroes have a way of inspiring us to aim higher and achieve…
Exclusive Excerpt—Rep. Elise Stefanik: ‘Poisoned Ivies: The Inside Account of the Academic and Moral Rot at America's Elite Universities’

Rep. Elise Stefanik Exposes Elite University Scandals in New Book ‘Poisoned Ivies

In an exclusive excerpt from Rep. Elise Stefanik’s latest book, “Poisoned Ivies:…
Colombia to cull dozens of Pablo Escobar's 'cocaine hippos'

Colombia Plans to Relocate Pablo Escobar’s Famous ‘Cocaine Hippos

In a decisive move on Monday, Colombian authorities approved a plan to…
US, Iran may resume war talks this week despite port blockade

US-Iran Dialogue Set to Reignite Amidst Port Blockade Tensions

In a potential diplomatic breakthrough, negotiators from the United States and Iran…
Former Brazilian spy chief who fled country following conviction arrested by ICE agents in the US

U.S. ICE Agents Apprehend Brazil’s Former Intelligence Chief Following Conviction and Flight from Country

Alexandre Ramagem, the former head of Brazilian intelligence, has been apprehended by…
Justice Department moves to toss seditious conspiracy convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys

Justice Department Seeks to Overturn Seditious Conspiracy Convictions of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys

On Tuesday, the Justice Department urged a federal appeals court to annul…
Arizona woman charged with killing newborn child 45 years after body was found

Arizona Woman Indicted for 1978 Newborn Homicide Following Decades-Old Investigation

In a breakthrough development over four decades in the making, a 65-year-old…