SARASOTA, Fla. (SNN) — Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler is facing calls for her to step down as the investigation continues into her husband, Republican Party of Florida chairman Christian Ziegler, over allegations of sexual battery.
While Christian Ziegler hasn’t been charged with any crime and Bridget Ziegler is not under investigation, Sarasota School Board member Tom Edwards contends that Bridget’s presence will only serve as a distraction.
“Mrs. Ziegler, it’s time for you to go,” Edwards said. “It’s time for your chaos and your drama – all of that needs to go.”
Edwards cited multiple issues during Bridget Ziegler’s tenure on the board, including terminating previous Superintendent Brennan Asplen and backing contentious debates on issues such as criticizing the district’s diversity policies, challenging school curriculums and demanding changes in the district’s policies regarding LGBTQ issues.
Still, it is the latest allegations against Ziegler’s husband that may loom the largest.
According to a search warrant affidavit, a woman who previously had a sexual encounter with both Christian and Bridget Ziegler alleged that Christian showed up alone at her home and sexually assaulted her. Although Christian has not been charged, his attorney claimed he will be “fully exonerated.”
But Edwards claimed he was not interested in criticizing the Zieglers for their alleged lifestyle choices. He said his greatest concern is Bridget’s contentious history during her time on the board and the impact it may have on the district’s students and staff.
“I’m more concerned regarding student achievement,” Edwards said. “And this is just another distraction in a long list of distractions my colleague has brought.”
Edwards is just one of the voices calling for one or both of the Zieglers to step down from their public positions.
On Wednesday, Republican Party of Sarasota County Chairman Jack Brill issued a statement that reads in part:
“Given the increasing amount of evidence coming out on the allegations against Christian Ziegler, the Republican Party of Sarasota County believes that what is best for Sarasota County and Florida in this critical election cycle, is for Christian to step down as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida…”
Gov. Ron DeSantis maintained on Tuesday that Christian is innocent until proven guilty but has also called on him to step aside.
“But I think when you have an investigation of crimes of this magnitude, I think that the mission has to come first,” DeSantis said. “It’s not helpful to the mission to have this hanging over his head.”
Bridget was not accused of a crime, but Edwards views her ties to the situation as problematic for the board.
Those calling for Bridget to leave the school board are planning a rally at Tuesday’s upcoming school board meeting.