As much as Russ may be a pig, this is probably the only move he can make. Just like when Dr. Will did the great speech saying something like "vote me out now or i will make your life a living hell", Russ is creating an environment in which he is so hated that everyone would like to take him to F2.
Russ only needs to flip Kevin (and other than Nat's comment about stabbing him in the heart), that could be doable.
Having recently negotiated with real estate brokers in the Walnut Creek area (where Russ claims to be from), he's actually quite typical of the breed.