Editor’s note: This report discusses sexual violence.
Bernadette Greene-Placentia, the Democratic candidate for Arizona’s 8th congressional district, has said two unidentified men raped her after attacking her while she was repairing a campaign sign in Sun City.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said it was investigating the allegation, according to CNN.
An incident report shared by her campaign places the alleged attack at approximately 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. on August 14. Greene-Placentia reported it to authorities on August 31.
Candidate describes attack near her vehicle
According to the incident report, Greene-Placentia said she was walking back to her vehicle after working on political signage when she was struck on the back of her head and lost consciousness.
She told investigators that both men sexually assaulted her and that she sustained injuries, including bruising on her arms and a bump on her head.
The report states that neither she nor investigators had established the precise location of the attack. The identities of the men also remained unknown.
Speaking to CNN’s Erin Burnett, Greene-Placentia described her distress at being unable to defend herself despite decades of experience travelling independently as a truck driver.
She said she had driven for 27 years, covering approximately four million miles.
Greene-Placentia explains delay in reporting
The candidate said embarrassment, anger and difficulty discussing the assault contributed to her initial reluctance to report it.
“I was embarrassed, and the last thing I wanted to do was talk about it… I just kind of wanted to bury it,” she said.
According to the report, she first told her husband and two campaign staff members about the incident two to three days afterwards.
She did not immediately seek hospital treatment or undergo a forensic sexual-assault examination. Investigators recorded that she had washed herself and her clothing after returning home.
The sheriff’s office followed up with her on September 1, when she provided additional information about her injuries.
Political motive has not been established
Greene-Placentia told investigators that she recalled an assailant using a derogatory political expression during the attack. However, she subsequently told CNN that she could not be certain of what she had heard.
She said she believed the men might have recognised her because her photograph appeared on campaign signs throughout the district, but acknowledged uncertainty about their motive.
She explained that she often repaired signs late at night because of Arizona’s summer heat and was usually accompanied by another person.
The account does not establish whether the alleged assault was politically motivated or an opportunistic attack.
Campaign says she hopes to support other survivors
Campaign spokesperson Craig Beckman told CNN that speaking publicly had been difficult for Greene-Placentia, but that she hoped sharing her experience would help survivors who were struggling in silence.
The candidate said she wanted other women to understand that sexual violence was not their fault and that they could seek support.
Her Republican opponent, incumbent Representative Abraham Hamadeh, called for a thorough investigation, including efforts to locate possible camera footage and prosecute those responsible.
Greene-Placentia said her decision to speak publicly was also connected to her campaign’s commitment to representing people whose experiences were often overlooked.
The sheriff’s office investigation remains ongoing.
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