Former Florida Republican congressional candidate William Braddock will serve three years in federal prison for threatening to hire a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to murder his primary opponent Anna Paulina Luna, who went on to win the seat despite his sinister plot.
Key Takeaways
- William Braddock, a former Republican congressional candidate and Marine, was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to transmitting interstate threats against his political opponent.
- Braddock explicitly threatened to hire a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to murder Anna Paulina Luna if she continued polling well in the 2021 Republican primary for Florida’s 13th Congressional District.
- After making the threats, Braddock fled to Thailand and later the Philippines before surrendering to authorities in Manila in 2023 and being extradited to face charges in the United States.
- Despite Braddock’s threats, Luna won both the Republican primary and the congressional seat, and continues to serve in Congress under the Trump administration.
Violent Threats in Florida Politics
The Department of Justice has taken decisive action against political violence by sentencing William Robert Braddock III to three years in federal prison for threatening to murder his congressional opponent. Braddock, who ran in the 2021 Republican primary for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, saw Anna Paulina Luna as “his only obstacle to winning that race” according to prosecutors. His violent rhetoric came to light when a recording of a phone call revealed explicit threats against Luna, who ultimately prevailed in both the primary and general election to secure her position in Congress.
“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,” William Braddock stated, according to the Department of Justice.
The case highlights the increasing concern about political violence in America’s electoral process. Braddock’s specific mention of a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” during a recorded phone conversation with GOP activist Erin Olszewski in June 2021 formed the core evidence against him. Though investigators found no evidence that Braddock had actually contacted foreign criminals or taken concrete steps toward carrying out his threats, the seriousness of his intimidation was sufficient for prosecution under federal law for interstate transmission of violent threats.
Former Florida congressional candidate sentenced to prison for threatening to kill Anna Paulina Luna https://t.co/yYh7fCPU4Q
— Just the News (@JustTheNews) May 22, 2025
Fleeing Justice and Eventual Surrender
After his threats became public through a recording leaked to Politico in 2021, Braddock attempted to evade consequences by fleeing the country. The former Marine traveled first to Thailand and later settled in the Philippines, staying abroad for approximately two years. His eventual surrender to officials in Manila in June 2023 led to his extradition back to the United States in September 2024 to face charges. This pattern of making violent threats followed by attempting to escape justice only compounded the seriousness of his case.
“if it needs to be done, it needs to be done,” William Braddock said regarding his murder threat, according to Politico.
The Justice Department acted decisively once Braddock was back on American soil. While the charge he faced—interstate transmission of threats—carried a maximum potential sentence of five years, Braddock received a three-year sentence after pleading guilty. The case sends a clear message that threats of political violence will be taken seriously by federal authorities regardless of the perpetrator’s background or political affiliation. Braddock’s military service as a former Marine did not shield him from accountability for his criminal behavior.
Luna’s Triumph Despite Threats
In a testament to her resilience, Anna Paulina Luna refused to be intimidated by Braddock’s violent threats. Despite being the target of his murderous rhetoric, Luna continued her campaign and successfully won both the Republican primary and the general election for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. Her victory represents a rejection of political intimidation tactics and showcases the strength of conservative candidates who refuse to back down in the face of threats. Luna now serves as a congresswoman under President Trump’s administration.
“Russian-Ukrainian hit squad,” William Robert Braddock III stated in his threat against Luna.
The case offers a stark reminder of the dark side of political competition when candidates abandon principles and resort to criminal intimidation. Braddock’s assertion that Luna was his “only obstacle” to electoral victory reveals a disturbing willingness to eliminate political opponents through violence rather than legitimate electoral competition. His conviction ensures that he will spend the next three years reflecting on the severe consequences of threatening a fellow American’s life simply because she posed a political challenge to his ambitions.
