In a race marked by rising tensions, Florida’s 13th congressional district has become a flashpoint as incumbent Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and her Democratic challenger, Whitney Fox, spar over allegations of violence, threats, and divisive rhetoric.
Luna, a first-term congresswoman and Air Force veteran, alleges that Fox’s campaign has escalated aggression in the district. According to Luna, a supporter of Fox physically confronted her campaign manager and her campaign manager’s father at a Clearwater polling station, an incident witnessed by bystanders and currently under review by the Clearwater Police Department, which reportedly has video evidence.
Luna has been no stranger to controversy or heated political attacks during her time in office. She recently shared with constituents that her office received a credible shooting threat, warning that rising hostility could have deadly consequences.
The St. Petersburg Police Department confirmed the threat, and Luna’s opponents’ supporters have stoked tensions, with one Facebook user, allegedly a neighbor, posting about knowing Luna’s home address. Luna, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, has responded by publicly condemning the violent rhetoric she sees directed at her and her team.
This race has been a high priority for Democrats, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) targeting Luna for defeat. Luna’s opponent, Fox, is backed by groups like Emily’s List, which often support progressive female candidates.
In an aggressive move in August, the DCCC released a memo casting doubt on Luna’s family history, questioning her statements about her Jewish heritage and referencing her grandfather’s conscription into the German military during World War II. The memo cited remarks from a family member about Luna’s background, though it stopped short of providing concrete evidence.
The campaign has also seen bizarre incidents beyond traditional political attacks. Luna reported receiving text messages from someone impersonating Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s chief of staff, Robert Black, urging her to engage in a discussion about her race against Fox. When Luna did not respond, the impersonator responded with a volley of insulting texts, questioning her identity and disparaging her family background and personal life.
Luna’s district, which includes much of Pinellas County, has recently been hit by back-to-back hurricanes, adding to the challenges local voters face as they prepare to cast their ballots. Despite the heated environment, Luna currently holds a lead in recent polls, with a Club for Growth survey showing her ahead by 6 points.
This margin is consistent with an earlier poll in August and places her in a favorable position as Election Day nears.
