DeSantis says Florida GOP chair should ‘step aside’ following sexual assault investigation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis called for Republican Party of Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler to resign amid a sexual harassment investigation, according to ABC.

ABC reporter Will McDuffie reportedly asked DeSantis if the chairman should step aside.

“I think he should step aside and think he should attend to that,” DeSantis reportedly said in response. “He’s innocent until proven guilty, but we just can’t have a party chair that is under that type of scrutiny.”

Florida’s Voice reached out to Ziegler Friday about the governor’s statement.

The news became public after the Sarasota Police Department confirmed an ongoing investigation into Christian Ziegler. On Thursday, an attorney for Ziegler said they are “confident” that no charges would be filed and that the chairman would be “exonerated.”

A heavily redacted police report said the incident in question took place around 3 p.m. on Oct. 4. The report date is listed as Oct. 4 at 5:01 p.m.

The report showed unredacted terminology such as “raped,” “sexual assault complaint” and “sexual assault allegation.”

The public information officer could not confirm Ziegler’s role in this case at the time of reporting.

Due to Marsy’s Law, the victim’s name was redacted.

Derek Byrd, an attorney for Christian Ziegler, said in a statement that Ziegler has been “fully cooperative” with the Sarasota Police Department’s requests. 

“We are confident that once the police investigation is concluded that no charges will be filed and Mr. Ziegler will be completely exonerated,” Byrd said. 

“Unfortunately, public figures are often accused of acts that they did not commit whether it be for political purposes or financial gain. I would caution anyone to rush to judgment until the investigation is concluded,” the attorney continued.

The Republican Party of Sarasota County Chairman Jack Brill released a statement Thursday as Christian Ziegler serves as a Sarasota County State Committeeman and Bridget Ziegler serves on the local school board. 

“We are shocked and disappointed to hear of the reports concerning Republican Party of Florida Chair and Sarasota County State Committeeman Christian Ziegler, and his wife, Sarasota County School Board Member Bridget Ziegler,” the statement said. “The Republican Party takes all such allegations of potential criminal conduct very seriously and will fully cooperate with investigators.”

The Florida Democratic Party issued a statement in response to the investigation, calling for Ziegler to step down from his position as chairman.

“Allegations of rape and sexual battery are severe and should be taken seriously,” Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried said. “I applaud the accuser’s bravery in coming forward against a political figure as powerful as Christian Ziegler, and I trust that the Sarasota Police Department will conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations of criminal behavior.”