Who Is Bridget Ziegler?
Bridget Ziegler (née McGrath), born July 23, 1982, in Schaumburg, Illinois, is a conservative education activist serving on the Sarasota County School Board in Florida. Appointed in June 2014, she secured election in November 2014 and was reelected in 2018 and 2022—earning endorsements from Governor Ron DeSantis. Originally a Democrat, she switched to the Republican Party after marrying Christian Ziegler.
Ziegler co-founded Moms for Liberty in January 2021, a national parent rights organization focused on anti-CRT and anti-LGBTQ+ policies in schools. She left the group later that year and continues to advocate conservative educational reforms in Sarasota County.
Rise to Prominence in Florida Politics
Bridget Ziegler first gained significant political attention when Gov. Rick Scott appointed her to the Sarasota County School Board in June 2014. Her 2014 appointment led to full election victories in 2014, 2018, and a contentious 2022 race. In June 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis publicly endorsed Ziegler for her re-election campaign under a platform centered on school choice, parental rights, and curriculum transparency, emphasizing her opposition to mask mandates and progressive education initiatives.
Her stature within DeSantis’s circle grew further in February 2023, when she was appointed—alongside four others—to Florida’s newly formed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, the board overseeing the area previously governed by Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. At the time, Ziegler pledged increased transparency and effective governance over the district’s massive infrastructure and tax operations.
The Disney Board Appointment and DeSantis Ties
In February 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Bridget Ziegler to the newly created Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) board, which replaced Disney’s self-governing Reedy Creek Improvement District. This move followed Disney’s opposition to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law and cemented Ziegler’s emergence as a key conservative ally within DeSantis’s political network.
Ziegler—known as a Moms for Liberty co-founder and a fervent supporter of DeSantis-era education policies—was among five loyalists confirmed to lead oversight of roughly 39 sq mi around Walt Disney World. DeSantis emphasized the significance of her appointment, declaring there was now “a new sheriff in town” for accountability.
However, governing the district has proven complex. In its first year, the board faced significant pushback over benefit cuts, staff resignations, and litigation with Disney. Ziegler publicly acknowledged the learning curve required to manage this unique government-like entity . Then, in February 2024, her seat came under renewed scrutiny amid personal scandal involving her husband, though the board didn’t overtly address it during meetings.
Despite early turbulence, recent reports confirm that several DeSantis-appointed board members—including Ziegler—have now shifted to a more collaborative stance, committing to multi-million-dollar public infrastructure investments in Disney World and moving beyond earlier political battles.
Personal Controversy and Public Scrutiny
In late 2023, Bridget Ziegler came under intense public scrutiny following a sexual-battery investigation involving her husband, Christian Ziegler, then-chair of the Florida GOP. Authorities launched the probe after a woman who had previously been in a consensual threesome with the Zieglers filed an allegation of rape. Bridget admitted participating in the threesome but stated she was not present at the time of the alleged assault.
Amid growing outrage, the Sarasota County School Board passed a non-binding 4–1 resolution urging her to resign, citing concerns that the scandal was diverting attention from district affairs. Bridget voted against the resolution and publicly defended her record, saying personal matters had “nothing to do with my role as a board member”.
Court Records Reveal Intimate and Hypocritical Details
Police search warrants and court documents later exposed more startling details. Investigators found that Christian Ziegler secretly photographed women in bars, sending the images to Bridget to evaluate them for potential threesomes. Bridget reportedly encouraged him: “pretend to take pictures of his beer” so as not to appear suspicious. Video recordings of sexual activity involving Bridget and other women were discovered on Christian’s phone—raising potential privacy and consent concerns.
Despite this, the state attorney ultimately declined to press charges due to insufficient evidence—notably citing uncertainties about whether the recordings were consensual.
Community Reaction: Outrage and Defense
January 2024 school board meetings saw dozens of residents confronting Ziegler, some condemning her hypocrisy—especially given her conservative stances and advocacy against LGBTQ+ inclusion. One local resident demanded: “You couldn’t even muster up an apology…first‑rate hypocrite”.
Meanwhile, she also received vocal support from conservatives who praised her firm positions on parental rights and educational policy.
Public Reaction and Her Political Future
As 2025 unfolds, Bridget Ziegler’s future in public office remains uncertain. On one hand, Republican challenger Heidi Brandt filed to run for Ziegler’s Sarasota County School Board seat, signaling a competitive race ahead of the 2026 nonpartisan election—which includes a primary in August and potential runoff in November. Brandt’s campaign cites recent school lockdowns and a desire for fresh leadership, adding pressure to Ziegler’s incumbency.
On the other hand, Ziegler has explicitly not ruled out a run for re-election or higher office, including potentially the Florida Legislature. In a May 2025 statement, she said she’s “focused on delivering for those who hired me” and would decide on future campaigns at a later date. Allies are reportedly awaiting her decision as campaign filings progress.
Public Sentiment Split
- Supporters highlight Ziegler’s conservative record—opposing mask mandates, CRT, and LGBTQ+ curricula—as central to her appeal. Many see her as a stalwart leader in the “parental rights” movement.
- Critics, however, point to the lasting fallout from the 2023 scandal. As political scientist Aubrey Jewett noted, Ziegler’s association with national groups like Moms for Liberty may now carry a “backlash effect” due to the reputational damage.
Source: Floridapolitics / Fox13news
Looking Ahead
- The 2026 election is fast approaching, with Brandt already in the race. Though Ziegler hasn’t committed, another statewide office could be in her sights if she opts not to seek re-election.
- Whatever her decision, Sarasota’s school board and broader Florida GOP base will closely watch, evaluating whether Ziegler can overcome her scandal’s lingering shadows or if a new conservative candidate will take her place.
Conclusion
Bridget Ziegler remains a polarizing figure in Florida politics. A three-term Sarasota County School Board member and co-founder of Moms for Liberty, she gained favor with conservative leaders and earned high-profile appointments—most notably to Governor DeSantis’s Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. However, her career has been overshadowed by a personal scandal involving her husband’s alleged sexual assault from a consensual threesome, prompting calls for her resignation—efforts she resisted while maintaining that her personal life does not hinder her public service.
Looking ahead, Ziegler hasn’t confirmed whether she’ll run for re-election in 2026 or pursue a different office. With a challenger already entered for her seat, her political future will hinge on her ability to retain conservative support and weather backlash tied to her past controversies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will Ziegler run again in 2026?
- She hasn’t made a decision yet. In May 2025, Ziegler told Florida Politics she remains focused on “delivering for those who hired me” and has “plenty of time” before deciding on her next campaign.
- Was she forced to resign after the 2023 scandal?
- No. Although the Sarasota School Board unanimously urged her to resign via a non-binding resolution in December 2023, she refused—citing no official wrongdoing and emphasizing continued commitment to her role.
- Are there legal consequences from the 2023 allegations?
- No criminal charges were filed. Investigators closed the sexual assault case in January 2024 due to insufficient evidence, and no charges were filed in the related video voyeurism matter.
- What are the major criticisms against her?
- Critics call her a hypocrite—arguing her conservative stance on LGBTQ+ and family-value issues conflicts with her involvement in a consensual threesome and related private conduct.
