A former Florida Republican congressional candidate faces charges for threatening to kill his primary rival, exposing the dark underbelly of political competition.
At a Glance
- William Robert Braddock III charged with threatening to kill Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
- Braddock allegedly mentioned hiring a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad”
- Threats made during 2021 Republican primary for Florida’s 13th congressional district
- Case part of Justice Department’s efforts to address election-related threats
Former GOP Candidate Charged with Threatening Rival
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged William Robert Braddock III, a former Republican congressional candidate from Florida, with threatening to kill his primary opponent, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, accuses Braddock of making multiple threats on June 8, 2021, during the Republican primary for Florida’s 13th congressional district.
According to the charges, Braddock allegedly threatened to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to kill Luna. The shocking nature of these allegations has sparked widespread concern about the escalating tensions in American politics and the potential for violence in electoral contests.
DOJ charges Rep. Anna Paulina Luna's former Florida primary opponent with threatening to kill political rival https://t.co/aZg3dV0VZH
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 29, 2024
Luna’s Previous Allegations and Legal Action
Prior to the Justice Department’s indictment, Luna had already taken legal action against Braddock. In 2021, she sought a permanent restraining order, citing text messages where Braddock allegedly expressed intentions to “take me out.” Luna, an Air Force veteran and former media consultant, testified that while she had limited direct contact with Braddock, she had heard about his threats from acquaintances.
“I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America,” Braddock allegedly said in a recorded conversation, according to court documents. “That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done.”
A judge granted Luna and her friend Erin Olszewski a temporary restraining order against Braddock. The case garnered significant media attention, leading Braddock to drop out of the race while denying the allegations.
Braddock’s Arrest and Potential Consequences
After leaving the United States and living in the Philippines for a time, Braddock was recently deported back to the U.S. He made his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday, facing one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person. If convicted, Braddock could face up to five years in prison.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s election threats task force, which was established to address the growing concern of threats and violence against election workers and political candidates. The charges against Braddock underscore the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating such threats in the lead-up to the 2024 election cycle.
Luna’s Response and Ongoing Concerns
Luna, who won the election and was sworn into Congress in January 2023, has continued to face security challenges. Her office recently received what was described as a “very serious shooting threat,” highlighting the ongoing risks faced by elected officials, particularly women in Congress.
“Luna’s going to go down and I hope it’s by herself,” Braddock allegedly said in one of the recorded conversations, according to court documents.
A spokesperson for Luna emphasized the increasing number of death threats against her and the disproportionate targeting of female members of Congress for violence and harassment. Luna remains committed to advocating against violence and abuse faced by women in politics.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing our democratic processes and the need for vigilance in protecting the integrity and safety of our electoral system. The charges against Braddock send a clear message that threats of political violence will be taken seriously and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
