Bridget Ziegler is a conservative education activist. She co-founded 'Moms for Liberty' and was on the school board for Sarasota County, Florida. Bridget and her husband, Christian Ziegler, were the Florida Republican power couple. However, allegations of rape and a sex scandal led to the fall of the political dynasty and their elimination from the Grand Old Party (GOP) hierarchy.
Bridget Ziegler, the co-founder of Moms for Liberty
Early Life
Bridget Anne Ziegler was born on July 23, 1982, in Schaumburg, Illinois. She was the youngest of the three children of Eileen Marie and Kevin Norman McGrath. She was brought up in Wheaton, Illinois, and Fort Gratiot, Michigan, and attended two junior colleges, a state university and Florida International University.
Bridget dropped out of college to focus on business. She entered the fashion industry to sell trendy bags before moving to the insurance sector.
Political Career
Bridget's political career started with her marriage to Christian Ziegler, a prominent figure in the Republican Party. She became active in various conservative circles, which eventually landed her a position in the Sarasota County School Board in 2014. Her appointment was made by Governor Rick Scott for a four-year term starting November 2014.
Bridget Ziegler on Sarasota County School Board
During her time on the board, she actively advocated for the protection of parental rights. At the local level, she fought to give taxpayers access to a transparent level. She was also instrumental in the drafting of the "Parental Bill of Rights" and helped expose the dangers of Critical Race Theory. Bridget believes teachers must have all the resources and support to be effective in the classroom.
As a testament to her excellence, she was successfully re-elected in 2018 and 2022.
Moms for Liberty
Bridget co-founded Moms for Liberty, an American conservative political organization, in 2021. However, she had to leave it later that year. The Southern Poverty Law Center tagged it as an "anti-government extremist group," but Bridget called it a "reckless" claim.
After the 2022 election, the Sarasota County School Board changed its guidelines and moved to a 4-1 conservative super-majority instead of the 3-2 liberal-leaning majority. This shift led to various controversies.
Bridget Ziegler at the opening of the Leadership Institute training center
Bridget also accepted a position with the Leadership Institute in September 2022. Unfortunately, she had to resign in December 2023 due to allegations of sexual assault against her husband, involving her in a complicated sex scandal.
Personal Life
Bridget moved to Sarasota, Florida, in 2010. There, she met Christian Ziegler, former Florida Republican Party chairman. They got married the same year and have three children who go to private schools in Sarasota. Her net worth is estimated to be $2 million.
Bridget Ziegler with husband Christian Ziegler
Controversies
Bridget and her husband got involved in sexual assault allegations when a participant in a threesome that included Bridget and Christian Ziegler filed a complaint in October 2023.
The police are also investigating Christian Ziegler for a recovered sex tape of an unnamed woman, whom he did not seek consent to record. Bridget admitted to having a sexual threesome relationship with her husband and another woman, but she reiterated that she was not around when the alleged rape happened.
Following the investigation, Bridget's husband was removed as the leader of the Republican Party or GOP in Florida, and Bridget was voted out of the school board, forcing her to file her resignation.
Other Issues
Bridget has been criticized by various social and educational movements. She opposed the Black Lives Matter movement, specifically its incorporation into the school curriculum. She also faced scrutiny for promoting unscientific notions regarding transgender youth, reflecting her contentious views on LGBTQ+ issues.
Bridget Ziegler presenting her views on various issues
Bridget also campaigned against teaching critical race theory and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in schools, positioning herself as a defender of traditional educational values.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bridget was against mask mandates in Sarasota County schools, aligning herself with broader conservative resistance to pandemic-related protocols.