Democratic Congressional Candidate Says She Was Raped While Campaigning

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic candidate for Arizona's Congressional District 8, has alleged that she was sexually assaulted while campaigning in August. The incident allegedly took place in a parking lot near Sun City, around 2 a.m., according to her account in an interview with the Phoenix New Times. Greene-Placentia stated that she was struck on the head by her attacker, causing her to lose consciousness.

Upon regaining awareness, she found herself being sexually assaulted by a man, with details of the encounter remaining hazy in her memory. She recalled the assailant using a derogatory phrase directed at her, interpreting it as "Democratic bitch." Another individual is said to have followed her attacker, attempting to kick her, which she managed to fend off by kicking him in return.

She reported the assault to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks after the incident, though due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further details can be provided by the authorities or the campaign at this time.