A former Florida Republican congressional candidate faces charges for allegedly threatening to hire a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to kill his primary rival.
At a Glance
- William Robert Braddock III charged with threatening to kill Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
- Braddock allegedly threatened to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad”
- Indictment unsealed Thursday, threats reportedly made on June 8, 2021
- Braddock faces up to five years in prison if convicted
Former GOP Candidate Charged with Threatening Rival
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged William Robert Braddock III, a former Florida Republican congressional candidate, 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 case has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the allegations and their implications for political discourse.
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
Background and Previous Allegations
Luna, an Air Force veteran and former media consultant, had previously sought a permanent restraining order against Braddock, citing text messages where he allegedly expressed intentions to “take me out.” In court, Luna testified that while she had limited in-person contact with Braddock, she had heard from acquaintances about his threats.
“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, according to recordings reported by multiple news outlets.
A judge granted Luna and her friend Erin Olszewski a temporary restraining order against Braddock. Following the publicity surrounding the case, Braddock dropped out of the race, denying the allegations.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences
Braddock, who had been living in the Philippines, was recently deported back to the United States. He made his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday. The former candidate is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, which carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison if convicted.
“Luna’s going to go down and I hope it’s by herself,” Braddock allegedly said in a recorded conversation, highlighting the gravity of the threats made.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s election threats task force, which addresses threats of violence against election workers and candidates. The charges against Braddock underscore the increasing concerns about political violence and threats in the current political climate.
Implications for Political Discourse
The case against Braddock has broader implications for political discourse and the safety of candidates. Luna’s spokesperson highlighted the growing number of death threats against her and the disproportionate targeting of female members of Congress for violence and harassment.
Luna, who won the election and was sworn into Congress in January 2023, remains committed to advocating against violence and abuse faced by women in politics. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for increased security measures and stricter penalties for threats against political figures.
As the 2024 election cycle approaches, federal prosecutors are intensifying efforts to crack down on election-related threats and political violence. This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by candidates and the importance of maintaining civil political discourse in a democracy.
Sources:
- Florida Republican charged with threat to ‘call up hit squad’ to kill primary rival
- DOJ charges Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s former Florida primary opponent with threatening to kill political rival
