Rep. Luna’s Opponent Arrested For Shocking Reason

A former Republican primary challenger of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has been charged with allegedly “threatening to kill” his opponent from the 2021 race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

On Friday, the DOJ unsealed an indictment against 41-year-old William Robert Braddock III, accusing him of making threats toward a candidate running in the 13th Congressional District primary and a second individual described as a “private citizen and acquaintance” of the lawmaker. While the indictment does not directly name Luna or the second victim, Luna was one of Braddock’s primary opponents.

🔥🚨BREAKING: Opponent of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was charged with threatening to hire hit squad to kill Rep. Paulina.

William Braddock, 41, of St. Petersburg, Fla. is accused of making the alleged threats on June 8, 2021 — including one where he threatened to “call up my… pic.twitter.com/YWCWofOFp7

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) September 29, 2024

Authorities allege that on June 8, 2021, Braddock made “several threats to injure and kill” both Luna and the second victim before he was later found in the Philippines.

“On June 8, 2021, Braddock made several threats to injure and kill Victim 1 and Victim 2 during a telephone call with Victim 2. Specifically, Braddock threatened, in part, to ‘call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad’ and make Victim 1 disappear,” the press release said. “After making the threats, Braddock left the United States and was later found to be residing in the Philippines. Braddock was recently deported from the Philippines to the United States and made his first court appearance yesterday [Thursday] in Los Angeles.”

The charges reportedly stem from the 2021 primary race in Florida’s 13th Congressional District after former Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist announced he would not seek reelection, according to Politico. Conservative activist Erin Olszewski recorded a call with Braddock, who at the time urged her not to support Luna, claiming access to assassins, according to the outlet.

🔥🚨BREAKING: Opponent of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna was charged with threatening to hire hit squad to kill Rep. Paulina.

William Braddock, 41, of St. Petersburg, Fla. is accused of making the alleged threats on June 8, 2021 — including one where he threatened to “call up my… pic.twitter.com/YWCWofOFp7

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) September 29, 2024

“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 told Olszewski during the call, according to Politico. “That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a fucking speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.”

A Florida judge later issued a temporary restraining order to Luna and Olszewski, which led to Braddock ending his 2021 campaign shortly thereafter, NBC News reported.

Braddock is charged with one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, according to the DOJ.

A spokesperson for Luna’s office declined to comment on the indictment but emphasized the “growing number of death threats” Luna has faced.

“In the past month alone, Congresswoman Luna has faced a growing number of death threats. 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,” the spokesperson said.

“Violence must never be tolerated. Congresswoman Luna is committed to spreading this message to her constituents and America,” the spokesperson added. “She will continue to advocate for and educate on ending the violence and abuse that so many women face, whether emotional or physical.”