Wilton Simpson calls for GOP Chairman Ziegler to step down over sexual assault investigation

Owen Girard contributed to this story.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson called for Republican Party of Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler to step down amid a recent sexual assault investigation.

Last week, the Sarasota Police Department confirmed there is an active investigation involving Ziegler.

Ziegler’s attorney maintained the chairman’s innocence in a statement last week, saying Ziegler would be “completely exonerated” once the investigation is complete.

“While everyone deserves the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law, the tremendously serious accusations being made against Christian make it impossible for him to effectively carry out the responsibilities of Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida,” Simpson said.

Simpson said he believes Ziegler needs to “step down, focus on his family, and let others lead our party through next year’s organizational, fundraising and voter registration needs.”

He noted there are just over 100 days until Florida’s presidential primary election.

Derek Byrd, an attorney for 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.

Ziegler has received calls from both political parties to resign. Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said she agreed with Gov. Ron DeSantis that Ziegler should step down.

“The Governor is the leader of our party. I agree with his position,” she said in a statement. “The allegations are serious, and will require Chair Ziegler’s full attention.”

DeSantis commented on the matter when reportedly asked by ABC reporter Will McDuffie last week.

“I think he should step aside and think he should attend to that,” DeSantis 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.”

Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, made similar calls for resignation.

“He should resign immediately,” Roach said. “The sooner these headlines read FORMER Republican Party of Florida Chair, the better for the party.”

The comments came after an investigation was launched by the Sarasota Police Department involving Ziegler, relating to a heavily redacted report that contained unredacted words such as “raped” and “sexual assault complaint.”

According to a heavily redacted police report from Sarasota Police Department, the incident occurred at 2:48 p.m. on Oct 4. The report date is listed as Oct. 4 at 5:01 p.m.

Orlando Sentinel reported on the accusations police outlined while applying for a search warrant. The Sentinel reported that police said the affidavit stated the woman accused Ziegler of sexually assaulting her.

According to the Sentinel, the affidavit said Ziegler told detectives he had consensual sex with the woman.

According to the affidavit, Bridget Ziegler, who is Christian’s wife, told detectives that she was involved in a sexual encounter with the woman and her husband one time about a year ago, the Sentinel reported.

Ziegler reportedly wrote in an email to party members that he does not intend to step down as the chair.

“We have a country to save and I am not going to let false allegations of a crime put that mission on the bench as I wait for this process to wrap up,” Ziegler said.

“My family is rock solid. My wife is behind me 150% and we have methods in place to protect our [three] children, just as we have with all previous attacks that we have faced,” he added.