Bridget Ziegler looks on as public comment began Tuesday at the Sarasota School Board meeting. Dozens rallied outside the meeting, accusing Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault. The school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant at the dais, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Dozens rallied outside the school board meeting, accusing Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault.
Those revelations came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police after a woman accused him of raping her in October, after a proposed tryst with Bridget fell through.
"This does not have any teeth, is that correct?" Ziegler asked the school board lawyer, and he responded that indeed, she was correct. The resolution was non-binding.
Ziegler did not directly address the call for her to relinquish the seat she was elected to last year for a four-year term.
Instead, she cast the sole vote against it, and pointed out that she has been able to continue in her role on the board appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to oversee Disney.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
School Board member Bridget Ziegler looks over at Chair, Karen Rose, as she asked for Ziegler to resign. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
"You know I am disappointed. As people may know, I serve on another public board and this issue did not come up and we were able to forge ahead with the business of the board," Ziegler said.
Bridget Ziegler, 41, said little else during the three-hour meeting, remaining mostly straight-faced but occasionally smirking or rolling her eyes as community members accused her of supporting policies that restrict talk of gender and sexuality in schools, while she apparently engaged in a sexual encounters with her husband and another woman.
Board member Tim Enos said it's up to Bridget Ziegler to decide whether to quit. Only Florida's governor can remove a school board member, and only under certain conditions, such as a criminal charge.
"For the last several years, you've capitalized on a carefully crafted persona of the All-American, morally superior Mama Bear, and you're likely facing an identity crisis tonight," said Jessica Thomason during public comment.
"It seems as though you have chosen to double down. Your smugness and arrogance is disappointing but not surprising."
Ziegler's husband, Christian, is being investigated by police for sexual assault by a woman who said she had relations with both Zieglers in the past.
No charges have been filed, and Sarasota police say the investigation remains active.
Police documents show Bridget Ziegler admitted to a prior sexual liaison with her husband and the woman in question.
Some defended Ziegler at the meeting and quoted the Bible, saying only those without sin should cast the first stone.
"Would you want your foibles splattered on the TV or the newspaper? The resolution that was here tonight is hurtful and divisive," said Conni Brunni, the Sarasota head of Moms For Liberty, who described herself as a "joyful warrior" but noted she was speaking on her own behalf and not for the group.
Students were not allowed into the school board meeting, and typical performances by student honor guards and musicians were cancelled due to the content of the meeting, chair Karen Rose said.
"Kids are hearing things and asking their parents, what's a three-way? And what is rape? Young children. Too much. This is truly breaking my heart," said Leila Newcomb, whose adult son also spoke at the meeting.
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Jody Nadler of Sarasota came to the rally with a sign that was her own take on the “Don’t day Gay” bill. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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Pattie Larsen, ties a rainbow ribbon in her hair before the rally. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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Tsi Day Smyth spoke at the rally and asked for Ziegler to step-down. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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Speakers at the rally asked for Ziegler to step-down. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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School Board member Bridget Ziegler looks over at Chair, Karen Rose, as she asked for Ziegler to resign. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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School Board member Bridget Ziegler walks into the boardroom a few minutes before meeting started. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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The crowd reacted to the 4-1 vote. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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Rose, Ziegler and Edwards look on as public comment began. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
9 of 12 — WGCUZieglerSchoolBoard121223AM
Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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School Board member Bridget Ziegler looks over at Chair, Karen Rose, as she asked for Ziegler to resign. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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Ziegler looks on as public comment began. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
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Many in the audience listened to other speakers as they waited their turn speak. Dozens rallied outside the Sarasota school board meeting Tuesday evening, accusing member Bridget Ziegler of hypocrisy for having advocated against LGBTQ causes while she was having a sexual relationship with a woman, a revelation that came to light last month as her husband Christian Ziegler is being investigated by police for accusations of sexual assault The Sarasota school board went on to vote 4-1 to ask Ziegler to resign. Ziegler, an original co-founder of Moms for Liberty, appeared defiant, asking the school board lawyer if indeed the resolution had “no teeth,” and staying largely silent after casting her “no“ vote.
Andrea Melendez/WGCU
Christian Ziegler has refused to resign as chair of the Florida Republican Party, saying he believes he will be exonerated.
Prior to the meeting, two school board members, including Tom Edwards, the only Democrat on the five-member board, and chairwoman Karen Rose had previously called for Ziegler to step down from her seat. So had Black community leaders and public school advocacy groups.
“Bridget Ziegler must step down now,” said a joint statement by the Sarasota NAACP and the Manasota Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), pointing out that the issue is not revelations about Bridget Ziegler’s sexual escapades, but “the level of hypocrisy on display.”
“Her presence is a distraction, and she can't be effective. And that hurts the work of the Board,” said David Wilkins, Manasota ASALH branch president.
"Our kids are of most importance, and anything that distracts from serving them, and providing the very best education for all of our children, I think, is disqualifying,” he added.
Christian Ziegler has not been charged with a crime, and has refused to resign.
