Rubio, Gaetz and others back Evan Power for Florida GOP chair

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include more endorsements.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Several Florida leaders announced they would support Republican Party of Florida Vice Chair Evan Power in his bid for chair of the state party.

Power announced Tuesday he would run for the position as current Chair Christian Ziegler is involved in a sexual assault investigation.

Ziegler believes he will be exonerated once the police investigation is complete. However, Florida leaders including the governor as well as House and Senate leadership have called for Ziegler to resign.

The state executive committee is expected to vote on Ziegler’s membership status Jan. 8 at a second special meeting. Power wants the party to vote him in as chair the same day.

“On January 8th, I will ask my fellow RPOF members to entrust me with the responsibility to lead our Republican team to victory,” Power’s statement said.

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said on social media that Power has his full support.

“Evan has worked tirelessly to build our party from the grassroots. He has earned the opportunity to lead and has my full support!” Gaetz said.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson endorsed Power Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said Florida needs a “strong and experienced leader,” noting that Power has the senator’s full support.

“With the 2024 elections right around the corner, the Republican Party of Florida needs a strong and experienced leader,” Rubio said.

“Evan Power is a long-time friend and I am confident he will work tirelessly to ensure Republicans are elected up and down the ballot,” he continued.

Both Simpson and Rubio have called for Ziegler to resign.

Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, also endorsed Power. Gilchrist GOP Chair David Biddle said Power would bring “stability” to the party.

U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., said Power is “more than capable of restoring the good name” of the Florida GOP.

“Evan is a proven leader who was instrumental in the huge success of the Florida GOP in recent years. There’s too much at stake statewide and nationwide, and Florida will need someone with the expertise to lead the fight and win,” Dunn’s statement read.

“I firmly believe Evan is more than capable of restoring the good name of the RPOF, upholding conservative values, and leading our party to victory in 2024,” he continued.

On Sunday, the party voted to strip Ziegler of his authority and reduce his salary to $1. Ziegler is no longer allowed to fundraise or speak on behalf of the Florida GOP.

Following that meeting, the vice chair had said the party “took a step to hold our Chairman [Ziegler] accountable for his actions.”

“After the events of the last few weeks many people have reached out to ask what I was planning to do if a vacancy became apparent in the Chairmanship,” Power said on the social platform X when he announced he running for the position.

Ziegler and Power previously ran against each other for the chair position. Ziegler ultimately was elected chairman by the party’s voting members in February. The final tally was 126-100 for Ziegler.

According to a search warrant for Ziegler’s telephone, police said the investigation revealed the victim and Ziegler have known each other for 20 years and they agreed to have a sexual encounter that included Ziegler’s wife, Bridget.

The victim claimed that on Oct. 2, Christian Ziegler sexually assaulted her, according to the search warrant.