A former Republican congressional candidate will spend three years in federal prison after threatening to deploy a hit squad against his political opponent, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, in a shocking case that unveils the dangerous underbelly of political rivalry. Braddock was recorded planning to use a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to assassinate Luna. After fleeing to Southeast Asia, Braddock was captured in the Philippines and returned to face justice.
Political Rivalry Turns Criminal
William Robert Braddock III, a former Florida Republican congressional candidate and Marine veteran, saw his political career and freedom vanish after making deadly threats against his primary opponent, Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna. The serious nature of these threats resulted in a three-year federal prison sentence handed down in 2024. Braddock pleaded guilty to sending an interstate transmission of a threat to injure, a federal offense that carries significant penalties. The case highlights the increasingly concerning trend of political discourse crossing dangerous lines.
The threats were captured during a 2021 telephone call with Luna’s friend, Republican activist Erin Olszewski, who recorded the conversation. During this call, Braddock outlined his sinister intentions in explicit detail. Despite no evidence that Braddock had actual connections to foreign crime organizations or took concrete steps toward carrying out his threats, federal authorities treated the case with appropriate gravity due to the explicit nature of his statements.
Florida congressional candidate who threatened to have Rep. Anna Paulina Luna a$$assinated has been found GUILTY.
William Braddock, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison. pic.twitter.com/7G0aXHGe9V— Sadie (@Sadie_NC) May 22, 2025
Shocking Threats Revealed
The recorded conversation revealed the disturbing extent of Braddock’s threats against Luna. He spoke openly about deploying what he called a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to eliminate his political rival. Prosecutors noted that while there was no evidence Braddock had such connections, the specific nature of his threat constituted a serious federal crime that warranted prosecution.
Luna had previously accused Braddock of stalking her and expressing desires to see her dead during the 2021 campaign, indicating that the recorded threat was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of concerning behavior. This history likely factored into the court’s decision regarding sentencing, as it demonstrated that Braddock’s statements were not merely a momentary lapse in judgment but a sustained hostility.
🆘My Friends &Fellow Americans.Former Florida congressional candidate WILLIAM H BRADDOCK III sentenced to prison 3-yrs threatening kill Anna Paulina Luna ~ Braddock threatened to have his Russian-Ukrainian Hit Squad MAKE HER DISAPPEAR:18 USC sect 876.✅🇺🇸 https://t.co/XZlhS5Cv3S
— Glenn Roth (@groth1945) May 22, 2025
Flight and Capture
After making these threats, Braddock fled the United States, first traveling to Thailand before ultimately settling in the Philippines. This international flight suggested an awareness of the serious nature of his actions and potential legal consequences. Federal authorities tracked him down, and in 2023, Braddock surrendered to officials in Manila. He was subsequently extradited back to the United States in the fall of that year to face the criminal charges against him.
“Female members of Congress are disproportionately targeted for stalking, violence, and harassment compared to their male counterparts. This alarming trend points to a broader and more disturbing issue of violence in the political arena.” – Luna spokesperson
Meanwhile, Luna’s political career flourished despite these threats. She won both the primary election against Braddock and other candidates, as well as the general election for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Luna was subsequently re-elected last year, demonstrating that her constituents remained supportive despite the troubling circumstances surrounding her initial campaign. This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges, particularly for female politicians, who face disproportionate targeting for harassment and threats.
Legal Consequences and Broader Implications
Braddock’s sentencing sends a clear message about the serious legal consequences for threatening political figures. The three-year federal prison term reflects the justice system’s commitment to protecting elected officials and maintaining the integrity of the democratic process. The case serves as a powerful deterrent to others who might consider using threats or intimidation tactics against political opponents, establishing that such behavior crosses both legal and ethical boundaries in American politics.
The case also underscores a troubling trend in American politics where heated rhetoric sometimes escalates to dangerous threats. Security concerns for elected officials have increased in recent years, with many representatives reporting threats against themselves or their families. Law enforcement agencies have responded by allocating additional resources to investigate and prosecute these threats, recognizing that political violence represents a significant threat to democratic institutions and processes.