LIVE: Sarasota School Board expected to approve resolution calling on Ziegler to resign
Herald-Tribune | Steven Walker | December 12, 2023
As the Sarasota County School Board convened for the final time this year, Bridget Ziegler entered the board chambers facing a rift largely driven by agenda item one: a colleague’s resolution calling for her resignation.
The board approved the resolution by a vote of 4-1, with Ziegler in dissent. In making the motion, Chairwoman Karen Rose did not initially receive a second. Robyn Marinelli, who had not spoken publicly about the proposed Ziegler resolution, eventually seconded the motion to be brought forward for a vote.
Before the meeting, Rose and board members Tom Edwards and Tim Enos each publicly called on Ziegler to resign. Both conservative and liberal School Board activist groups have also called on Ziegler to resign amid emerging details of her involvement in a three-way sexual relationship, which became public as a sexual assault investigation into her husband, Christian Ziegler unfolded.
Christian Ziegler also faces mounting pressure from Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans to resign his position as Florida GOP chairman. In police documents, the alleged victim and Bridget Ziegler both told police they had a three-way sexual encounter more than a year ago that included the two women and Christian Ziegler.
Ziegler did not respond to several requests for comment from Herald-Tribune reporters.
At the start of the meeting, Rose said the decision to bring forward the resolution had nothing to do with politics.
“It’s not about the left it’s not about the right, it’s about students,” she said.
Enos echoed Rose’s sentiment following the vote, but said he would leave the decision to Ziegler rather than taking the issue to the governor, who is the only person who can remove a sitting school board member.
“Whether it’s Democrat, Republican, whatever it is, it should be only about the kids,” Enos said. “My decision tonight was only about the kids.”
Board legal counsel Patrick Duggan also reiterated that the resolution was “ceremonial in nature” given that the board holds no authority to remove one of its members.
At an earlier board workshop, Ziegler quickly exited the chambers while communications director Craig Maniglia told reporters that the board member was not available for comment.
Activist groups have called Ziegler’s involvement in a relationship “hypocritical” as Ziegler has been a vocal advocate for legislation such as the Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by critics. Ziegler has also posted transphobic content on her social media.
Rose, Edwards and Enos all said that Ziegler would be a “distraction” from the work of the School Board should she remain. Enos, who told the Herald-Tribune on Friday that he felt Ziegler should resign, campaigned with Ziegler under the “ZEM” movement promoted by conservative Republicans to flip the ideological majority of the board in 2022.
Ziegler won her most recent election in August 2022, meaning her term expires in 2026 should she choose to not resign. Only DeSantis could remove her from her seat, and School Board members cannot be recalled in a recall election.
Should Ziegler resign, the governor would appoint someone to the seat to serve out until the next election cycle in 2024.
Rally against Ziegler
Ahead of the board’s 6 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, activist groups such as Support Our Schools rallied outside of the board chambers to call on Ziegler to resign. Drivers on Tamiami Trail honked in support as they traveled past the district building.
More than 50 people gathered to hear activists speak out against Ziegler, calling out her “hypocrisy” and urging her to resign.
“I’m not a big believer in karma, but this is a pretty good advertisement for it,” said Tsi Day Smyth, a queer parent of four Sarasota students.
One counter-protester arrived halfway through the rally with a bullhorn. He yelled for Edwards to resign instead.
