A Republican candidate who ran in the primary against Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna has been charged with making death threats against her, involving a Russian-Ukrainian hit squad. The former candidate, William Braddock, who competed in the 2021 Republican primary for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, was apprehended abroad in the Philippines after attempting to flee the U.S. to avoid legal consequences.
The Department of Justice, in a formal press release, outlined the charges and details of the case:
“According to the indictment, William Robert Braddock III, 41, of St. Petersburg, and Victim 1 were candidates in the primary election to represent the 13th Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. Victim 2 was a private citizen and acquaintance of Victim 1. On June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure and kill Victim 1 and Victim 2 during a telephone call with Victim 2. Specifically, Braddock threatened, in part, to ‘call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad’ and make Victim 1 disappear.”
The DOJ further elaborated that after Braddock made these threatening remarks, he fled the U.S. and was later found residing in the Philippines. Braddock’s eventual deportation led to his first court appearance in Los Angeles, where he faced serious charges.
Braddock has been charged with interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. Should he be convicted, Braddock could face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. The final sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors specific to the case.
The case gained significant media attention due to the nature of the threats. According to an audio recording obtained by Politico, Braddock expressed his reluctance to resort to violence but ultimately implied he was willing to follow through if he believed it was necessary.
“I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America. That will break my heart,” Braddock reportedly said in the recording. “But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a fucking speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.”
This alarming rhetoric heightened concerns about Braddock’s intentions and his potential to carry out violent acts. His chilling statements and reference to using an international hit squad placed both Luna and her supporters on high alert.
Despite the threats and intimidation tactics, Anna Paulina Luna continued her campaign and ultimately won the Republican primary, securing her place in the 2022 general election. She went on to win her congressional seat in a significant victory for Republicans. Luna’s election was one of several key flips in traditionally Democratic-leaning districts, helping the Republican Party gain control of the House of Representatives.
Since being sworn into office, Luna has become known as a staunch conservative voice, aligning herself with some of the party’s most hardline members. She has worked to advance conservative policies on issues such as national security, immigration, and individual freedoms. Luna’s success in overcoming her political rival and subsequent threats has bolstered her standing within the party and among her supporters, who view her as a fighter both on and off the campaign trail.
This incident highlights the increasing tensions and sometimes dangerous rhetoric that has permeated American politics in recent years. While Braddock now faces serious legal repercussions for his alleged actions, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the real-world consequences of political animosity and violent threats against public figures.
Luna’s ability to prevail amid these challenges only strengthened her resolve, with many political observers noting her perseverance and determination to represent her district in Washington, D.C.
