The expulsion of Christian Ziegler as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida brings a wild scandal to a close— at least for the party. But how long will Sarasota remain in the Ziegler era?

There’s no doubt that both the fallen chair and his wife, Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Ziegler, wield less influence than they once did. Yes, both still hold positions locally. Christian Ziegler still serves as the state committeeman for the Republican Party of Sarasota. More noticeably, Bridget Ziegler remains on the School Board, where her term runs nearly three more years. But I’m not sure either will retain much sway with either position.

I’m often asked why the couple, early in the scandal, didn’t resign to avoid the steady drumbeat of scandalous headlines. The most obvious answer is financial; unlike some part-time politicians, the Zieglers’ income relies tremendously on political involvement. Much of that crumbled over the past two months, with Bridget losing her job as director of school board programs for the Leadership Institute and now with Christian fired from a party job with $120,000 base salary and quite a few other perks.

Considering that, it makes more sense Bridget Ziegler would endure meetings already, and countless more in the future, where a parade of dissenters repeat embarrassing details about her sex life on local TV. A school board seat isn’t the highest paid public office, but it has a healthy enough salary to help with a mortgage and health insurance during some pretty tough times.

It seems likely Christian Ziegler’s company, political marketing firm Microtargeted Media, will be less in demand this election cycle. Maybe something that doesn’t have his name explicitly attached to the brand can survive long term. Still, no one seeking political advice wants Christian Ziegler’s number today.

But the greatest hit long-term must be to the Zieglers’ political influence. Once coveted as supporters, particularly in conservative education circles, organizations like Moms For Liberty took noticeable steps to distance themselves from both Christian and Bridget Ziegler recently. Some of Christian’s closest allies in Congress, where he once workedas a staffer, have done the same. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, his former boss, called for his resignation. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, whose wife Erika founded a conservative school board group with Bridget Ziegler, made a trip to Tallahassee for the vote kicking Christian out of the chairmanship.

In the weeks after news of a rape investigation broke, I heard frequently Christian was on the phone threatening the political careers of those eagerly pushing him out of the party. But some of those same people now say he hasn’t returned their calls in weeks or more. He surprised many, myself included, when he chose not to come to the meeting where state Republican Party leaders voted 199-3 to remove him. 

Bridget Ziegler’s closest allies on the School Board have also voted for her removal, though they can do nothing to force the issue. Gov. Ron DeSantis theoretically could remove her but no one thinks he will. Conspiracy-minded folks say that’s because putting a third School Board seat on the November ballot this year could put a conservative majority at risk. I might humbly suggest the fact Bridget Ziegler to date has not even faced an accusation of a crime, just a morally questionable sexual exploit, has more to do with it. 

But the days of the Zieglers shaping public policy statewide, or of growing their name in a credible way on the national scale, are over. It remains to be seen if the philosophies they represented have become as toxic as their own brand.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 

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As we kick off the year, New College is proud to announce the launch of our groundbreaking distance learning program, bringing our renowned liberal arts degree to students all around the globe. This is a monumental milestone for New College, opening doors to prospective students that we could have never reached before.

Our distance learning program is unique in that it is built upon a great books curriculum. In a rapidly evolving world driven by technology, the timeless wisdom found in the classics remains as relevant as ever. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, many individuals face the uncertainty of their careers becoming obsolete. By grounding students in an education that teaches them how to think, rather than what to think, we are equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in our society. The program will kick off this spring with three captivating courses: Euclid's Elements, Plato, and History of Ideas Part 1. 

Thanks to a fruitful collaboration with Ricketts Great Books College, this program has come together swiftly. I was honored to have Joe Ricketts, Founder and President of Ricketts Great Books College, join us as we launched this new initiative. Mr. Ricketts shares my deep appreciation for the impact of the liberal arts, and his team has developed a marvelous curriculum that perfectly aligns with New College's vision. This partnership will provide our esteemed faculty with turnkey resources to seamlessly deliver a New College education in a virtual format, as well as offer scholarships for students pursuing a degree through our distance learning program at New College.

None of this would be possible without our dedicated faculty, who will play a pivotal role in teaching in this program. Dr. David Allen Harvey, a highly regarded history professor with over two decades of experience at New College, will lead the program as New College's esteemed Dean of the Center for the Study of Western Civilization.

One common question arises when discussing this new program: "Where will the students come from?" The answer is simple – from right down the street to halfway across the world. The potential is limitless. Our students will come from all walks of life, spanning from traditional college-aged individuals to seasoned lifelong learners.

While New College is renowned for our residential honors program and our breathtaking bayfront campus, the addition of distance learning only enhances our commitment to growth and excellence. As we expand the school, it is crucial for us to seize new opportunities and connect with more independent learners, including high school to adult learning, extend the reach of our rigorous and rewarding New College education to those who may never physically set foot in Sarasota.

I invite you to explore the possibilities of New College's distance learning program as we redefine education and empower learners across the globe; visit us at ncf.edu/worldwide. 

Richard Corcoran is president of New College of Florida. 

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