### Former Congressional Candidate Charged with Threatening Opponent

The Justice Department has officially charged William Robert Braddock III, a former political challenger, with threatening to kill his primary opponent and another individual in a dramatic escalation of the 2021 congressional race for Florida's 13th District. Braddock, aged 41, who resided in St. Petersburg, Florida, was accused of making lethal threats against Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and an acquaintance of hers.

An indictment unsealed in the Middle District of Florida reveals that on June 8, 2021, Braddock allegedly boasted during a phone call about his ability to summon a "Russian-Ukrainian hit squad" to eliminate Luna. Following these threats, Braddock fled the U.S. and was discovered living in the Philippines. He was recently deported and made his initial court appearance in Los Angeles.

Although Luna's name appears nowhere in the indictment, the Air Force veteran and former media consultant recounted her fears in 2021 civil court documents. Luna had sought and received a temporary restraining order against Braddock, asserting that he was stalking her and plotting her death. Due to the intense publicity surrounding the case, Braddock withdrew from the race but continued to deny the allegations.

In a significant twist, conservative activist Erin Olszewski testified that she had recorded a phone call with Braddock, during which he allegedly detailed the plans of a "Russian and Ukrainian hit squad" to assassinate Luna within 24 hours. Politico, which obtained the recording, quoted Braddock as saying he believed such measures were necessary for the greater good.

Braddock's legal troubles intensified as the indictment includes one charge of interstate transmission of a true threat to injure another person, carrying a possible sentence of up to five years if convicted. The case is part of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force initiative, aimed at addressing violent threats related to elections.

Luna, who has been endorsed twice by former President Trump, has chosen not to comment on the indictment. However, a spokesperson did confirm that she has faced an escalating number of death threats in recent months. The spokesperson emphasized that female members of Congress are disproportionately subjected to violence and harassment compared to their male counterparts, calling it a "broader and more disturbing issue of violence in the political arena." Luna remains dedicated to advocating against all forms of violence and abuse, aiming to spread awareness among her constituents and the wider American public.