Former Republican congressional candidate William Braddock was sentenced to three years in federal prison for threatening to deploy a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to murder his political rival Anna Paulina Luna during their primary race.
Key Takeaways
- William Robert Braddock III received a three-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to transmitting threatening messages across state lines targeting his Republican primary opponent.
- Braddock claimed to have access to a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” and threatened to murder Luna if she continued polling well in the congressional race.
- After making the threats, Braddock fled to Thailand and later the Philippines before eventually surrendering to authorities in Manila in 2023.
- Despite Braddock’s threats, Anna Paulina Luna won both the Republican primary and the congressional seat for Florida’s 13th District.
- The case highlights the serious legal consequences for political intimidation and violence in American electoral politics.
Violent Threats Against a Political Rival
William Robert Braddock III, a former Marine and Republican congressional candidate, was sentenced to three years in federal prison after making explicit death threats against his primary opponent, Anna Paulina Luna. The threats, which were recorded during a June 2021 phone call with Republican activist Erin Olszewski, included disturbing claims about having access to a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” that he planned to deploy against Luna. The recording eventually leaked to Politico, exposing Braddock’s violent intentions toward his political rival in Florida’s 13th Congressional District race.
“Russian-Ukrainian hit squad,” said William Robert Braddock III
During the recorded conversation, Braddock exhibited extreme confidence and hostility, declaring: “I will be the next congressman for this District. Period. End of discussion. And anybody going up against me is f***ing ignorant for doing so.” The Department of Justice noted that Braddock viewed Luna as “his only obstacle to winning that race” and explicitly threatened to have her murdered if she continued polling well against him. These threats constituted a federal crime—transmitting threatening messages across state lines—which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Flight and Eventual Surrender
After his threats became public, Braddock fled the United States, first traveling to Thailand before eventually settling in the Philippines. His attempt to escape justice lasted approximately two years. In June 2023, Braddock finally surrendered to officials in Manila, Philippines. He was subsequently extradited back to the United States in September 2024 to face the serious charges against him. The case demonstrates that political candidates cannot escape accountability for making violent threats, even by fleeing to foreign countries.
“if it needs to be done, it needs to be done,” said William Braddock
Despite the chilling nature of Braddock’s threats, investigators found no evidence that he had actually made contact with any foreign crime organizations or taken concrete steps to execute his threatened plot against Luna. However, the seriousness of making such threats in the context of an American election was sufficient to warrant federal prosecution and the substantial prison sentence he received after pleading guilty to the charges.
Luna’s Victory Despite Threats
In a testament to her resilience, Anna Paulina Luna refused to be intimidated by Braddock’s threats. She continued her campaign and ultimately prevailed in both the Republican primary and the general election, securing her seat in Congress representing Florida’s 13th District. Luna’s victory demonstrates the strength of our democratic institutions even in the face of attempts at violent intimidation. The case also serves as a powerful reminder that threats of political violence carry severe legal consequences in America’s electoral system.
“his only obstacle to winning that race,” mentioned the Department of Justice
Braddock’s sentence of three years in federal prison reflects the gravity of his actions and sends a clear message that threats against political candidates will not be tolerated. While the charge carried a maximum sentence of five years, the three-year sentence still represents a significant consequence for attempting to intimidate an opponent through threats of violence. The case highlights the importance of maintaining civility and lawfulness in political competition, even amid the passionate disagreements that characterize American democracy.
