In a shocking turn of events, the Republican Party of Florida has suspended Chairman Christian Ziegler and demanded his immediate resignation during an emergency meeting held on Sunday. This comes in the wake of an ongoing police investigation into a rape accusation against Ziegler, further escalating the calls for him to step down from his position. Governor Ron DeSantis and other top officials have also publicly called for his resignation.

According to police records, Ziegler is accused of raping a woman with whom he and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, had a prior consensual sexual relationship. The accusation has sent shockwaves throughout the state and has divided opinions on Ziegler's fitness for office.

During the closed-door meeting, Ziegler attempted to defend himself, but his efforts were futile as the party board swiftly took action against him. Michael Thomason, the Lee County GOP Chairman, took to social media platform X to document the proceedings, posting, "Ziegler on soap box trying to defend himself, not working," before confirming the votes.

The Republican Party's motion to censure Ziegler stated, "Christian Ziegler has engaged in conduct that renders him unfit for the office." This motion will be followed by another vote by the party's executive committee to decide whether to remove Ziegler from his position as Chairman.

Meanwhile, the Sarasota Police Department is actively investigating the woman's accusation that Ziegler raped her at her apartment in October. According to police documents, the Zieglers and the woman had allegedly planned a consensual sexual encounter involving all three parties. However, Bridget Ziegler was unable to join them, and despite her absence, Christian Ziegler proceeded to assault the accuser. Ziegler vehemently denies the allegations and maintains that the encounter was consensual.

The accusation has not only had a significant impact on Christian Ziegler's political career but has also caused turmoil for his wife, Bridget Ziegler, an elected member of the Sarasota School Board. In a recent vote, the board decided to ask her to resign, adding to the growing pressure on the couple. Despite the calls for her resignation, Bridget Ziegler has refused to step down from her position.

The Zieglers' relationship with another woman has also come under scrutiny, particularly due to their previous outspoken opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy and further intensified the controversy surrounding the rape accusation.

The calls for Christian Ziegler's resignation have not only come from within his party but also from prominent Republican figures. Governor Ron DeSantis, Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, US Representative Matt Gaetz, and Florida's Republican House and Senate leaders have all joined the chorus, urging Ziegler to step down.

As the investigation unfolds, the Republican Party of Florida finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the fallout of a rape accusation against its Chairman. The coming days and weeks will determine the future of the party's leadership and its ability to regain public trust amidst this deeply troubling scandal.