LOCAL COMMISSIONER IS QUICKLY LOSING HIS SHEEN AFTER DRAMATIC MIDTERM SMD DEFEAT.
Jon Susce
3/10/2022
David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski, Trump GOP front line leaders, had an air tight plan to ride their way into the 2024 elections with Florida firmly in their pocket. This was of critical strategic importance in light of the rise in popularity of both Ron DeSantis and former governor Rick Scott. Both of whom pose considerable threats to a future Trump candidacy.
BOSSIE, ZIEGLER AND LEWANDOWSKI IN HAPPIER TIMES.
Bossie, who was staying at the VUE in Sarasota, was in town to meet with major financial supporters of Trump and confer with county commissioner Christian Ziegler, who had appeared to be taking the next step towards becoming chairman of the Florida Republican Party. With Ziegler in their pocket, especially as the leader of the state party, there was quite a bit at stake for this week's visit.
Unfortunately for Bossie and friends, the next step for Ziegler just became a hornets nest.
Ziegler's was a key voice in support of repealing the Single Member District amendment on March 8. His side lost in a landslide. And with that epic failure, not only did his leadership come into question but more importantly, so too did the probability of him actually keeping his commission seat in the upcoming primary/general election.
A loser in a local County Commission race does not make for a chairman of the RPOF.
In a Republican primary, Ziegler will face strong opposition from Republican Lourdes Ramirez. And if Ziegler would prevail in the primary, he would face strong opposition from a well-funded Democrat opponent in the general election in November.
Ziegler's defeat was stunning, with the amendment getting blocked by 15% points. To make matters even more concerning, this loss happened despite outspending the opposition by 15 to 1 in the information war that was waged in the runup to March 8's ballot.
Another problem for Ziegler is that there appears now to be a split emerging between Ziegler and Florida State Senator and present Chairman of the RPOF, Joe Gruters. Not only is Ziegler out to replace Gruters as chairman of RPOF, but is also seeking to replace Gruters on the RNC.
Ironically, one that is pleased that Ziegler will now face strong opposition for re-election is local "Pay to Play" developer Pat Neal, who is a major DeSantis supporter.
DESANTIS VS TRUMP LOOKS TO BE A MAJOR BUMP IN THE ROAD FOR RNC IN 2024
And so now a major question looms for what had been one of Sarasota's ascending Republican politicians. DoTrump supporters continue moving forward with Ziegler -- or do they cast him aside for being an overrated Sarasota political operative who is not ready for prime time?