A Florida Republican reportedly compared his political rival to a 'f---ing speed bump' and threatened to send a hit squad to make her 'disappear'
By Oma Seddiq
A Florida congressional candidate threatened to call a "Russian-Ukrainian hit squad" to make his political opponent "disappear," according to a secret phone call recording obtained by Politico.
William Braddock, a Republican running for Florida's 13th Congressional District, attacked one of his rivals, Anna Paulina Luna, in a phone call with a conservative activist recorded last Wednesday, per 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 during the phone call. "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."
Braddock also called Luna "a crazy b----" and "a piece of s---," among other insults during the 30-minute phone call, according to Politico.
At another part of the conversation, Braddock expressed confidence that Luna will lose the upcoming Republican primary election. The candidates are running to replace outgoing Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist, who is running fir governor.
"She's gonna be gone. Period. That's end of discussion. Luna is not an issue," Braddock said, per Politico.
"How do we make her go?" the activist who recorded the phone call, Erin Olszewski, asked.
"I call up my Russian-Ukrainian hit squad and within 24 hours they're sending me pictures of her disappearing," Braddock answered. "I'm not joking."
Olszewski told Politico that she recorded the conversation and turned it over to St. Petersburg police because she felt concerned about Braddock's comments.
Luna has since obtained a stalking injunction against Braddock, the Tampa Bay Times reported on Monday. Her office did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.
Braddock did not identify himself in the recording when asked by Politico and suggested that it "may even be altered and edited." Olszewski denied editing the recording to Politico.
Luna, an Air Force veteran and supporter of former President Donald Trump, previously ran for the Tampa Bay-area congressional seat in 2020, but lost the race to incumbent Crist. Politico reported that Braddock is a little-known candidate and just filed for his candidacy on Monday.
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