Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan are the latest state Republicans to call for their state-level party leader to step down in the aftermath of revelations stemming from an allegation of sexual assault. Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler has so far refused to resign despite the growing consensus.
Governor Ron DeSantis made one of the earliest calls for Ziegler’s resignation, stating that the issues surrounding the accusations against Zeigler were distracting from the party’s “mission.” DeSantis’ comments were followed by a similar call from Florida Senator Rick Scott. Both DeSantis and Scott have been long-time allies of Ziegler’s.
A statement issued by Buchanan on Wednesday read, “Christian should voluntarily step down before the executive committee takes action against him. His position as party leader is no longer tenable given what has transpired.”
Florida GOP Vice Chairman Evan Power requested Ziegler schedule an executive board meeting to address the growing concerns, but Ziegler declined to do so. Power ultimately called a session, citing Chairman Ziegler’s obvious conflict in the decision.
The closed-door meeting, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 17, will likely include a discussion of censure or other possible penalties for Ziegler—including removal from the party.
On Thursday, Florida Politics reported that Ziegler allegedly asked party officials for a multimillion-dollar buyout in advance of the scheduled meeting. The requests were reportedly made through emissaries and confirmed by multiple Republican sources, according to the publication.
NBC News later echoed the allegations, citing at least six Republican sources confirming the requests for a “pay-off ” to resign. Those sources told NBC that Ziegler first presented the idea of a payout in exchange for removal from his role to former Republican Party of Florida Chair Joe Gruters and Republican National Committeeman Peter Feaman. Neither Gruters nor Feaman provided comment in response to the sourced statements. However, Ziegler denied any such requests to NBC.
Reports from multiple outlets have since contended that there has seemingly been a unanimous “No” from party officials in response to any consideration of a “settlement” or “payment” in exchange for Ziegler’s exit.
Earlier this week, a contentious Sarasota School Board meeting included the passing of a resolution requesting that Ziegler’s wife, Bridget Ziegler, also resign from her position as a school board member. Mrs. Ziegler also declined calls for her resignation. Although Mrs. Ziegler has not been accused of a crime, admissions of both her and her husband included in search warrant affidavits include that the couple confirmed having had a past sexual encounter (“threesome”) with the alleged victim.
