A Republican Florida congresswoman whose opponent labeled her a “threat to democracy” claimed her Democratic opponent’s “irresponsible rhetoric” has led her to suffer an unhinged harassment campaign.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who represents Florida’s 13th District, said she’s been doxxed and had threatening packages sent to her home, according to a lengthy Saturday post on X.
“When you label people a threat to democracy and attempt to dehumanize/lie about them, violence occurs,” wrote Luna, a staunch ally of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Luna did not name her Democratic challenger, Whitney Fox, in her post.
Fox, a former Pinellas County transportation official who has focused her campaign on reproductive rights, allowed her supporters to use the comments section of her campaign’s social media pages to publicly dox the lawmaker, Luna said.
Commenters also used the social media pages to coordinate and solicite others to send “threatening packages” to Luna’s home in St. Petersburg, Fla., the lawmaker contended.
A screenshot of one menacing remark the lawmaker shared conveyed that the poster knew where Luna lived and suggested others should send a “love letter or … something” to the politician.
“The fact that this went on for weeks is not only abhorrent, but also it is shameful,” Luna wrote.
“The fact is, FL-13 is not and has never been a winnable seat for Democrats. However, the irresponsible rhetoric and attempt to dupe the district into thinking otherwise is what led to this.”
The legislator, who claimed she is one of the “top targeted” federal lawmaker for violence, also alleged an unnamed “leftist Democrat organization” backing her opponent had sent her sexually harassing and anti-semitic texts.
Luna said she had contacted local police Friday and notified the FBI, and that an investigation had been opened.
Deputy Jamie Miller, a public information officer for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, said it has received a harassment complaint from Luna, but declined to comment further, citing an open investigation.
The harassment campaign isn’t Luna’s first bout with election threats. During her 2021 race, she took out a restraining order against one of her potential GOP rival in her 2021 primary race after she accused her would-be opponents of plotting to kill her.
Fox, Luna and the FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
