MAGA Rep Anna Paulina Luna’s Former Primary Opponent Charged With Threatening to Kill Rival: Report
In a shocking turn of events that reads more like a political thriller than real life, a former Republican primary candidate has been indicted for allegedly threatening to assassinate his one-time opponent, now a sitting congresswoman.
The case has sent shockwaves through Florida’s political landscape and reignited serious concerns about the safety of elected officials.
41-year-old William Robert Braddock III faces federal charges for allegedly making “several threats to injure and kill” a candidate running in Florida’s 13th Congressional District primary election in 2021, Politico reported.
While the Department of Justice (DOJ) did not name the target, circumstances point to Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who emerged victorious from that contentious race.
The indictment, unsealed on Friday, alleges that on June 8, 2021, Braddock made explicit threats during a phone call with an acquaintance of the congresswoman.
In a chilling statement, he allegedly boasted about his ability to “call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” and make his rival “disappear.”
The gravity of the situation became apparent when Braddock fled the country shortly after making these threats.
He was later found residing in the Philippines, from where he was recently deported to face justice in the United States.
Braddock made his initial court appearance in Los Angeles on Thursday, as outlined by the Daily Caller.
This case stems from the heated 2021 primary race for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, which opened up after Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist announced he would not seek reelection.
The competitive nature of the contest apparently took a dark turn when Braddock allegedly decided to resort to threats of violence.
A key piece of evidence in the case is a recorded phone call between Braddock and conservative activist Erin Olszewski.
Politico noted that during this conversation, Braddock allegedly warned Olszewski against supporting Luna, claiming he had access to assassins.
In a disturbing statement, he reportedly said, “I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America. That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done.”
The severity of the threats led a Florida judge to grant a temporary restraining order to both Luna and Olszewski.
This legal action prompted Braddock to withdraw from the 2021 campaign shortly thereafter, per NBC News.
Braddock now faces one count of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
While Rep. Luna’s office declined to comment directly on the indictment; a spokesperson highlighted the “growing number of death threats” faced by the congresswoman.
The statement emphasized that 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’s spokesperson said, per the Daily Caller.
“Violence must never be tolerated. Congresswoman Luna is committed to spreading this message to her constituents and America.”
This case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing polarization and potential for violence in American politics.
It underscores the need for enhanced security measures to protect elected officials and highlights the importance of maintaining civil discourse in political competitions.
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