Former Congressional Candidate Sentenced to 3 Years for Threatening Opponent’s Life
Ex-Candidate Sentenced for Threatening Opponent
A tense chapter in Florida politics came to a close as William Robert Braddock III, a former Republican congressional candidate, was handed a three-year federal prison sentence. Braddock, 41, from St. Petersburg, was accused of stalking and plotting against his primary opponent with the alleged help of a foreign hit squad. This verdict was delivered in a Tampa federal court.
The case dates back to 2021 when Braddock was running against U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna for the 13th Congressional District seat in Florida. Luna not only won the primary but also secured victory in the general election and has since been re-elected.
Investigators revealed that Braddock spent considerable time maligning Luna and attempting to meddle in her affairs. The situation escalated during a phone call with GOP activist Erin Olszewski, a friend of Luna’s. In this call, Braddock allegedly threatened Luna’s life by suggesting he would employ a “Russian-Ukrainian hit squad” if she continued to perform well in the polls.
Politico reported that Braddock claimed the hit squad could eliminate Luna within 24 hours. In an unsettling recording obtained by Politico, Braddock remarked, “Luna’s going to go down and I hope it’s by herself,” asserting that sacrificing a few was for “the better or the good of the majority.”
Braddock described this supposed hit squad as equipped for “close-battle combat,” ensuring there would be no room for error. Yet, investigators found no evidence linking Braddock-a former Marine-to any foreign organized crime contacts or concrete actions towards executing such a plot.
In an unexpected twist later that year, Braddock relocated to Thailand before finally settling in the Philippines. He stayed there until surrendering to authorities in Manila in 2023. Last fall, he was brought back to the U.S., where he faced trial for his actions.
This case highlights an unsettling intersection of politics and personal vendettas-where ambition crossed dangerous lines. While the courts have now rendered their judgment on Braddock, many are left pondering how political discourse took such a dark turn. It raises questions about how closely we monitor those vying for public office and how we ensure public safety amidst political rivalries.
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