A Florida congressional candidate allegedly threatened to send “a Russian and Ukrainian hit squad” after another candidate, according to a new report.
William Braddock, a Republican running for the Sunshine State’s 13th Congressional District, allegedly made the threat against Anna Paulina Luna, another candidate for the seat, to Erin Olszewski, who recorded the conversation, which was obtained by Politico.
“I really don’t want to have to end anybody’s life for the good of the people of the United States of America,” Braddock said at one point in the conversation, which occurred last week. “That will break my heart. But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done. Luna is a f***ing speed bump in the road. She’s a dead squirrel you run over every day when you leave the neighborhood.”
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“I have access to a hit squad, too, Ukrainians and Russians,” he continued, adding, “Don’t get caught out in public supporting Luna. … Luna’s gonna go down, and I hope it’s by herself.”
When Olszewski pushed for more details about how they’d make her go away, Braddock reportedly said, “I call up my Russian and Ukrainian hit squad, and within 24 hours, they’re sending me pictures of her disappearing. No, I’m not joking. Like, this is beyond my control [at] this point.”
In a comment to Politico, Braddock did not confirm or deny whether he had made the threat and questioned the authenticity of the recording, which he said “may even be altered or edited,” though Olszewski denied that claim.
She reportedly handed the recording over to the St. Petersburg police and notified Luna, who filed for and received a temporary restraining order against Braddock last Friday.
“I have no comment at this time due to multiple ongoing law enforcement investigations of this matter,” Luna said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “Those investigations are based upon Mr. Braddock’s own threats and actions, and we are confident the facts will be public at the appropriate time.”
In the legal filing, Luna claimed that fellow Florida Republicans Amanda Makki and Matt Tito were conspiring with Braddock, though both have denied the allegation.
Makki, who lost the GOP primary to Luna in 2020, previously told the Washington Examiner in a phone interview that she is also considering retaliatory action.
“I just think it’s very bizarre behavior that, again, someone that I haven’t seen in 11 months could make such wild accusations,” she stated. “It really shows the temperament of this individual. And, you know, she’s clearly unfit, unsuited to represent people.”
Tito told the Washington Examiner in a phone interview that he’s “talking to a lawyer right now, and we’re looking to go after her with the full extent of the law, and that probably means a defamation lawsuit.”
He also said he will be “100% exonerated,” called it a “smear,” and a “political hit job.”
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Charlie Crist is the Democrat who defeated Luna in the 13th District in 2020 after she defeated Makki in the primary. The seat is up for grabs for both parties next year as Crist decided to run for Florida governor.
