House Candidate Speaks Out After Alleged Rape During Campaign Trail

POLICY WIRE — Phoenix, Arizona — A U.S. House candidate in Arizona has come forward with allegations of sexual assault that occurred during the summer while she was working on a campaign sign, sparking widespread support from other women who have shared similar experiences.

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democrat running for Congress in Arizona’s 8th District, is competing against Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh in the November election. The district, located in the Phoenix suburbs, is considered a safe Republican seat according to the Cook Political Report.

The alleged incident took place during a tense political climate marked by concerns over violence against candidates. At a September rally, an armed man attacked Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, and earlier this year, a man sprayed vinegar at Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall meeting. Greene-Placentia said she was repairing campaign materials late at night when she was attacked, leaving her physically and emotionally shaken.

She described being struck from behind and then assaulted by two men before they fled. She reported the incident to authorities on August 31, and a police report from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office notes the event occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on August 14. While the department is investigating, it has not provided further details.

Greene-Placentia initially kept the incident private but eventually chose to speak out after reflecting on her campaign messages. During a discussion about personal challenges, including her father’s death and her mother’s struggles with healthcare, she realized she needed to address the issue of sexual assault as part of her platform.