News Summary
William Braddock III, a former candidate for Congress, received a three-year prison sentence for threatening to kill his opponent, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, during the 2021 election campaign. Braddock made alarming threats over the phone, suggesting he would use a hit squad to eliminate Luna. After fleeing to Thailand and later the Philippines, he was apprehended and extradited back to the U.S. His case highlights growing concerns over threats against political figures and has reignited discussions on political discourse safety.
Tampa, Florida – William Braddock III, a former congressional candidate, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for threatening to murder his political opponent, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, during the 2021 election campaign for Florida’s 13th Congressional District. The sentencing occurred on Wednesday in a Tampa federal court.
Braddock, 41, of St. Petersburg, pleaded guilty on February 23 to the charge of interstate transmission of a threat to injure. In the months leading up to his threats, he made numerous disparaging remarks about Luna, whom he viewed as a significant obstacle to his political ambitions. According to the Department of Justice, Braddock’s hostility escalated to the point where he threatened to kill Luna during a phone call in June 2021.
In this phone call, Braddock spoke about using a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” to carry out the murder if Luna continued to poll favorably in the race. He referenced a notion that the murder of Luna might be necessary for the greater good, implying that sacrifices were acceptable in pursuit of political goals. He further suggested that the hit squad could accomplish the task within 24 hours and indicated that he would not carry out the act himself, yet was prepared to see her killed.
Following his threats, Braddock fled the United States, purchasing a one-way ticket to Thailand, and later moved to the Philippines. Authorities apprehended him after he surrendered in June 2023, leading to his extradition back to the U.S. in September 2024.
Despite Braddock’s alarming threats, there appeared to be no evidence tying him to organized crime or any concrete plans to execute his murder plot against Luna. In the meantime, Luna successfully won both the primary and general elections during the 2021 electoral cycle and was re-elected the following year, allowing her to continue serving her constituents.
This case highlights the extreme lengths to which some individuals may go in political contests, raising concerns about the safety of political figures and the impact of threats on democratic processes. The court’s decision to impose a three-year prison sentence on Braddock serves as a reminder of the severe consequences that can follow violent rhetoric in politics.
Braddock’s actions and subsequent legal proceedings have drawn attention to the growing issue of political threats in the United States. As election cycles become increasingly contentious, protecting candidates and preserving the integrity of political discourse are paramount challenges facing both law enforcement and the public.
The sentencing of Braddock concludes this disturbing chapter within Florida’s political history, underscoring the need for vigilance against threats and violence in the political arena.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Threatening behavior
- The Hill
- Google Search: William Braddock Florida Congressional candidate
- NBC News
- Google Scholar: Political threats
- The Daily Beast
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Political violence
- Florida Politics
- Google News: Florida congressional candidate threat
- UPI
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
