Arizona congressional candidate reports rape while repairing campaign sign in Sun City
Democratic congressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia reported being raped in a Sun City parking lot on August 14, 2026, while repairing a campaign sign. She told the Phoenix New Times she was knocked unconscious and awoke to a man on top of her. She filed a report with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks later. Her memory is spotty, and she described two white male assailants. Her Republican opponent, Abraham Hamadeh, urged a thorough investigation. The sheriff's office confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
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Arizona congressional candidate says she was raped while repairing campaign sign
Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic congressional candidate in Arizona's 8th district, told the Phoenix New Times that she was raped in a car park in Sun City on August 14 while repairing campaign signs late at night. She reported being knocked unconscious and waking to find a man on top of her. She did not initially notify police, filing a report with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks later. Her Republican opponent, Abraham Hamadeh, urged authorities to investigate thoroughly and find all possible camera footage. Greene-Placentia said she was embarrassed and wanted to forget but felt compelled to stand up for other victims. She did not see a doctor or receive a sexual assault examination following the alleged attack. Her memory is spotty, and she did not get a good look at the two assailants, describing them as white men. One may have made a comment about her political affiliation with a misogynistic slur. She expressed concern voters might think it was a political stunt in a heavily Republican district and that the allegations might overshadow her messaging on affordability. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
Read sourceArizona congressional candidate says she was raped while repairing campaign sign
Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic congressional candidate in Arizona's 8th district, told the Phoenix New Times she was raped in a Sun City car park on August 14 while repairing campaign signs late at night. She said she was knocked unconscious and woke up to find a man on top of her, but her memory of the attack is spotty and she did not get a good look at the two assailants, described as white men. She did not initially notify police, filing a report with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks later, and did not receive a sexual assault examination. Her Republican opponent, Abraham Hamadeh, urged authorities to investigate thoroughly, including finding all possible camera footage. Greene-Placentia said she was embarrassed and wanted to forget but felt compelled to speak out for other victims, though she expressed concern voters might think it was a political stunt in a heavily Republican district or that the allegations might overshadow her messaging on affordability. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
Read sourceArizona Democratic Candidate Says She Was Raped While Repairing Campaign Sign
Bernadette Greene-Placentia, the Democratic nominee for Arizona's 8th congressional district, reported being sexually assaulted in a Sun City parking lot in summer 2026 while repairing a campaign sign. She told the Phoenix New Times she was hit over the head and awoke to her rapist pulling his penis out of her. The attacker reportedly called her a 'Democratic bitch.' She suffered a concussion, bruises, and vaginal bleeding. She reported the rape to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks later. Her opponent, Republican incumbent Abe Hamadeh, has not commented on the alleged rape but previously defended Andrew and Tristan Tate, who face sexual assault charges. Greene-Placentia said she decided to report the assault to fight for women victims of sexual assault and is vowing to continue her campaign.
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Arizona Democratic Candidate Reports Being Raped While Repairing Campaign Sign
Bernadette Greene-Placentia, the Democratic nominee for Arizona's 8th congressional district, reported being sexually assaulted in a Sun City parking lot at 2 a.m. after stopping to repair a damaged campaign sign. She was hit over the head and awoke to her rapist pulling his penis out of her, with the assailant uttering a slur she interpreted as 'Democratic bitch.' Another man approached but left, saying 'Not even worth it.' She suffered a concussion, bruises, and vaginal bleeding for three days. Initially trying to forget the attack, she reported it to her campaign staff, her husband, and two weeks later to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Her campaign manager said she was 'missing in action' for two days afterward. Greene-Placentia decided to go public because she campaigns on fighting for women and victims of sexual assault. Her opponent, incumbent Republican Representative Abe Hamadeh, has not commented on the alleged rape but previously defended Andrew and Tristan Tate, who face sexual assault charges in Europe. Greene-Placentia is vowing to continue her campaign, stating she wants to let women know it is okay to talk about such experiences.
Arizona Democratic Candidate Reports Being Raped While Repairing Campaign Sign
Bernadette Greene-Placentia, the Democratic nominee for Arizona's 8th congressional district, reported being sexually assaulted in a Sun City parking lot at 2 a.m. after stopping to repair a damaged campaign sign. She told the Phoenix New Times she was hit over the head and awoke to her rapist pulling his penis out of her. The attacker reportedly called her a 'Democratic bitch.' She suffered a concussion, vaginal bleeding for three days, and was covered in bruises. She initially tried to forget the attack but reported it to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks later, citing her campaign promise to fight for women. Her campaign manager said she was 'missing in action' for two days afterward. Incumbent Republican Representative Abe Hamadeh has not commented on the alleged rape but previously defended Andrew and Tristan Tate, who face sexual assault charges. Greene-Placentia vowed to continue her campaign, stating she wants to let women know it is okay to talk about sexual assault.