DeSantis appointee Bridget Ziegler appears at today's Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board meeting amid criminal investigation

Jan 24, 2024 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

Gallery / 1 Photo
Bridget Ziegler at January 24, 2024 Central Florida Tourism Oversight District meeting

Posted: Wednesday January 24, 2024 9:54am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

A smiling Bridget Ziegler appeared in person at today's Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors meeting for the first time since police began a criminal investigation into her husband, Christian Ziegler.

Bridget Ziegler at January 24, 2024 Central Florida Tourism Oversight District meeting

Ziegler, the author of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, crusades against the LGBTQ+ community but allegedly told police as part of the investigation into her husband Christian Ziegler that she had relations with a woman alongside her husband.

Appointed to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District in February 2023 as one of the founding members, her inclusion appeared to many as DeSantis doubling down on his punishment of Disney for its opposition to the bill authored by Ziegler.

Opposition to Christian Ziegler and Bridget Ziegler continuing in Florida's politics is mounting, and it remains to be seen if her position at CFTOD will be vacated. The Republican Party of Florida ousted Christian Ziegler earlier this month as police investigated allegations against him. The Sarasota County School Board, of which Bridget Ziegler is a member, voted 4-1 in late December for a resolution requesting that she step down. Ziegler has refused to leave the school board.

DeSantis' CFTOD, which replaced Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District, has already seen one of its board members leave. Michael Sasso resigned in May from his board position after less than four months in the job.

Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

tissandtully1 day ago

Yeah, apparently she should be done on Feb. 26th, but who knows what Ronnie has in mind.

JoeCamel1 day ago

She still there? Thought she was busy with her OF

tissandtully1 day ago

Glances over at Bridget.....

lazyboy97o3 days ago

You’re so out of touch with the times. Institutional knowledge isn’t based. The terms are clearly part of the facade of propriety. The posts are minor patronage and an example of “new” ideas of executive power. People can rotate through and they get to pad their resume because the board only needs to exist, not overtly act, at this time. So long as Disney remains compliant anyone can provide the rubber stamp. Who has remained is quite telling.

wdwmagic3 days ago

Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board Changes Again as Vice Chair Departs https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/reedy-creek-improvement-district/news/18feb2025-central-florida-tourism-oversight-district-board-changes-again-as-vice-chair-departs.htm

LAKid533 days ago

Because the originals work is done.

mmascari3 days ago

How normal is it for boards roughly like this one to change members this often disconnected from their terms? I keep wondering what the point of terms even is, if we're just going to replace members whenever anyway.

lazyboy97o6 days ago

This is not normalcy nor should we lie and pretend it is. Development and building are local concerns and this structure remains abnormal and completely outside the construct of what are supposed to be legal taxing authorities. The threats remain clear, even if they’re just more loudly coming from others at the moment, and Disney is actively complying.

JoeCamel6 days ago

I think I would like to know Gilbert's campaign contribution history he seems to fit the bill of a Florida real estate salesman. Those and car dealers seem to gravitate to being politicians. Oh and lawyers too. I guess I yearn for the days of citizen service where the motives were clear but the money is way too high a bar for most.

Stripes6 days ago

These seem like decent appointments. Certainly better than the departing board members. With these appointments, it would seem to me that the new board will have members that are all qualified to be there. With the showdown over, things have returned to normalcy.

wdwmagic7 days ago

DeSantis Reshapes Disney's Central Florida Tourism Oversight District with New Appointments https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/reedy-creek-improvement-district/news/15feb2025-desantis-reshapes-disneys-central-florida-tourism-oversight-district-with-new-appointments.htm

DCBaker7 days ago

Ron DeSantis has appointed 3 new members to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board of Supervisors: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Alexis Yarbrough as Chair, John Gilbert, and Scott Workman to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Alexis Yarbrough Yarbrough is the current Chair of the Broward College District Board of Trustees. She previously served as Chair and Commissioner on the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. Yarbrough earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and her juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University. John Gilbert Gilbert is the Executive Managing Director at Stream Realty Partners. He was recognized as the 2007 and the 2012 Orlando Office Broker of the Year by the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks, Commercial Real Estate Development Association. Gilbert earned his bachelor's degree in real estate from Florida State University. Scott Workman Workman is the Owner of Workman Transportation and Owner and President of Workman Travel. He has been active in the transportation industry in Orlando for over 25 years. Workman attended the University of Iowa. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-three-central-florida-tourism-oversight-district

lazyboy97o10 days ago

The FCC is investigating Comcast over their internal corporate practices that have nothing to actually do with broadcasting. Make no mistake, this is why Iger capitulated.