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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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