Florida Republican William Robert Braddock III Accused of Threatening Political Opponent

A former Florida Republican congressional candidate faces charges for allegedly threatening to kill his political rival.

At a Glance

William Robert Braddock III has been accused of threatening to kill his political rival.
The indictment did not provide the name of the victim, but Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Braddock’s previous political rival, previously accused him of stalking and threatening her.
Braddock allegedly mentioned using a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” against his opponent.
The threat was allegedly made during a recorded phone call in June 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 41-year-old former Republican congressional candidate from St. Petersburg, Florida, with threatening to kill his political opponent. The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Braddock made the threats during a phone call on June 8, 2021. While the indictment didn’t name the victim, the phone call is alleged to have taken place while he and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna were candidates in 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 his opponent. The threat was allegedly made during a conversation with another individual, identified as Victim 2, who is reportedly a private citizen and acquaintance of Luna. This shocking revelation has sent ripples through the political community, raising concerns about the safety of candidates and the integrity of the electoral process.

Ex-House candidate in Florida William Robert Braddock III charged with threatening to kill political rivalhttps://t.co/mP95dsb6NL pic.twitter.com/JQV3eQgF4l

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 30, 2024

Luna’s Previous Allegations and Legal Action

Prior to these charges, Luna had already taken legal action against Braddock. In 2021, she sought a permanent restraining order, alleging that Braddock was stalking her and had threatened her life. Luna cited text messages where Braddock allegedly expressed intentions to “take me out,” which she interpreted as a threat on her life.

Luna stated she was “in fear for my life from Mr. Braddock,” underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

A judge granted Luna and her friend Erin Olszewski a temporary restraining order against Braddock. During the court proceedings, Luna testified that Braddock’s threats had left her “very afraid” and “emotionally terrorized.” Olszewski also testified that Braddock had made veiled threats against her children during the recorded call.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences

Braddock, who had left the United States and was living in the Philippines, was recently deported back to the U.S. He made his first court appearance on Thursday in Los Angeles. The former candidate now faces 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.

Braddock expressed a desire to “obtain, review and validate” evidence presented against him, in order to find out what they have.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s election threats task force, launched in June 2021 to address threats of violence against election workers. The FBI’s Tampa field office and the St. Petersburg Police Department are actively investigating the case, highlighting the seriousness with which authorities are treating threats to political candidates.

Broader Implications for Political Discourse

This incident sheds light on ongoing concerns about political violence in the U.S. Luna’s office has reported a growing number of death threats against her recently, underscoring the increasing risks faced by political figures. As an Air Force veteran and current congresswoman, Luna has expressed her commitment to advocating against violence and abuse faced by women in politics.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for civility and respect in political discourse, even amid fierce competition. It also highlights the importance of robust systems to protect candidates and ensure the integrity of the democratic process. As the legal proceedings unfold, many will be watching closely to see how the justice system addresses these serious allegations and works to deter future threats in the political arena.