Former congressional candidate William Braddock has been sentenced to three years in prison for threatening to kill Rep. Anna Paulina Luna using a so-called “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad.”
At a Glance
- William Braddock was sentenced to three years for threatening Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna
- The threats were made during a 2021 recorded phone call with a GOP activist
- Braddock fled the U.S. and was later extradited from the Philippines in 2023
- Investigators found no evidence he had actual access to foreign hitmen
- Luna’s office cited a broader trend of political violence targeting female lawmakers
Recorded Threats and Political Fallout
The political rivalry between William Robert Braddock III and Anna Paulina Luna took a disturbing turn when Braddock was caught on tape threatening Luna’s life. During a phone call with Republican activist Erin Olszewski in 2021, Braddock declared, “Luna is a f**king speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood,” and referenced hiring a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to make her disappear, according to The Blaze.
The recording quickly spread among political circles, prompting Luna, now a two-term Florida congresswoman, to report the incident to federal authorities. Braddock later pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transmission of a threat to injure.
Watch a report: Ex-Marine sentenced over threats to Congresswoman.
Flight, Extradition, and Sentencing
Shortly after the threat became public, Braddock fled the United States, first traveling to Thailand and eventually settling in the Philippines. He remained outside the country until 2023, when he surrendered in Manila and was extradited to the U.S. to face federal charges, as detailed by NBC News.
While the FBI found no links between Braddock and actual criminal organizations, prosecutors emphasized the serious nature of the threat. His conviction and three-year sentence send a clear message about the federal government’s stance on politically motivated intimidation.
Threats Against Women in Politics
This case is part of a troubling national pattern. A spokesperson for Luna’s office stated, “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,” according to The Blaze.
Luna had also previously accused Braddock of stalking her during their 2021 congressional primary campaign. Despite the threats, she went on to win both the primary and general elections, securing a second term in Congress amid continued concerns over the safety of elected officials.
As political rhetoric intensifies nationwide, this case underscores the urgent need for safeguards protecting public servants from threats and violence—regardless of partisan affiliations or campaign rivalries.
