Arizona congressional candidate says she was raped and thinks it may have been a politically motivated attack

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic candidate for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, has publicly alleged she was sexually assaulted while repairing campaign signs in Sun City around 2:00 a.m. on August 14. She reported the incident to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on August 31, explaining the delay was due to embarrassment and a desire to move past the trauma. The candidate suggested the attack might have been politically motivated, though she later expressed uncertainty regarding specific slurs she initially thought she heard. Her opponent, Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh, and Governor Katie Hobbs have both issued statements condemning the attack and calling for a thorough investigation, which authorities confirm is ongoing.

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic candidate for Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, has publicly alleged she was sexually assaulted while repairing campaign signs in Sun City around 2:00 a.m. on August 14. She reported the incident to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on August 31, explaining the delay was due to embarrassment and a desire to move past the trauma. The candidate suggested the attack might have been politically motivated, though she later expressed uncertainty regarding specific slurs she initially thought she heard. Her opponent, Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh, and Governor Katie Hobbs have both issued statements condemning the attack and calling for a thorough investigation, which authorities confirm is ongoing.