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Former Congressional Candidate Sentenced for Threats

A symbolic representation of justice in the courtroom addressing political threats.

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.