Former Florida Candidate Arrested for Death Threats Against Rival

[Social Media]

 

A former Florida congressional candidate, William Robert Braddock III, has been charged for threatening to kill his Republican primary opponent, now-Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), by using what he described as his “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad.” Braddock’s threats, made during a 2021 phone call, have culminated in his arrest two years later, following his departure from the U.S. and subsequent capture in the Philippines.

 

According to the indictment, Braddock not only threatened Luna but also targeted another individual, identified as Victim 2, who was present during the menacing conversation. Victim 2 is described as a private citizen and an acquaintance of Luna. The threats were part of a phone call in which Braddock allegedly expressed intentions to harm Luna and anyone associated with her. After leaving the United States shortly after the incident, Braddock was arrested in the Philippines in 2023 and deported to the U.S., where he made his first court appearance in Los Angeles on September 27. He now faces one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

 

The FBI and the St. Petersburg Police Department collaborated in the investigation as part of the department's election threats task force. Luna, who eventually won the 2021 Republican primary for Florida’s 13th congressional district and was later endorsed by former President Donald Trump, had previously accused Braddock of stalking and threatening her life. During the primary campaign, Luna filed for a permanent restraining order against Braddock, alleging he had threatened to kill her. Luna, along with conservative activist Erin Olszewski, had been granted a temporary restraining order after these threats surfaced.

 

A recorded conversation between Olszewski and Braddock reveals Braddock warning Olszewski against supporting Luna. In the recording, Braddock is heard claiming access to assassins and making ominous remarks about Luna’s fate: “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. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a f---ing speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.” This recording was obtained by Politico and made public during the 2021 primary race.

 

When asked about the threatening phone call, Braddock refused to discuss the incident, stating that he hadn’t heard the recording and insinuating that the audio might have been altered. Despite these serious accusations, Luna was denied a permanent restraining order against Braddock at the time.

 

As Braddock’s case unfolds, Luna, who is now running for reelection in Florida’s 13th district, continues to face threats. On September 18, she claimed her office had received a “very serious shooting threat,” expressing frustration over the rising hostility directed at Republicans. "This division and hate campaign against Republicans is going to get someone killed," Luna posted on X (formerly Twitter). "I will not be threatened, intimidated, or bow down to those using violence as a means to push their agenda. We will win."

My office has received a very serious shooting threat.

This division and hate campaign against Republicans is going to get someone killed. I will not be threatened, intimidated, or bow down to those using violence as a means to push their agenda. We will win.

America is the…

— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) September 18, 2024

 

Luna, a vocal ally of Trump, has also alleged that she has been doxxed and received threatening packages at her home. She attributes these threats to heightened political tensions, which were exacerbated after her Democratic opponent labeled her a “threat to democracy.” As Luna continues her political career, she remains committed to resisting the threats and intimidation she has faced.

 

Based on a report from: Daily Beast 2024-10-01