Arizona congressional candidate raped by two men while fixing campaign signs in Sun City

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic candidate for Arizona's 8th Congressional District, says she was knocked unconscious and sexually assaulted in Sun City on 14 August.

Democratic candidate reports rape while campaigning in Sun City

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democratic candidate for Arizona's 8th Congressional District, was knocked unconscious and sexually assaulted by two men while fixing campaign signs in Sun City on 14 August, according to a police report obtained by azfamily.com.

The incident occurred near 99th Avenue and Bell Road. Greene-Placentia was walking back to her vehicle when she was struck in the head and lost consciousness. When she came to, she said she was being held down and sexually assaulted by one man, followed by a second. She reported fighting back by kicking her feet.

Greene-Placentia said she recalls one of the men calling her a "Democratic b---h" during the attack.

She told her husband about the assault two or three days after the incident and waited approximately two weeks before reporting it to law enforcement. She told investigators she did not seek a medical examination following the assault.

Greene-Placentia is running against Trump-backed Republican incumbent Abraham "Abe" Hamadeh in Arizona's 8th Congressional District. Hamadeh's campaign issued a statement calling for a thorough investigation.

"I have read the disturbing story and call upon authorities to investigate these serious allegations thoroughly, including finding all possible camera footage of the time and place in order to prosecute the crime to the fullest extent of the law," the statement read. "No American should become a victim of a crime in their own community."

Several Arizona political figures expressed support for Greene-Placentia following the public disclosure of the reported attack.

Governor Katie Hobbs's office said she was "outraged by the sexual assault against congressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia," describing the incident as "a cruel and cowardly attack" that "has no place in Arizona."

Senator Mark Kelly addressed the matter on social media. "What happened to Bernadette Greene-Placentia is an outrage," Kelly wrote. "It took real courage for her to speak publicly about something so painful. The criminal who did this must be found and held fully accountable."

Senator Ruben Gallego also responded publicly. "I'm absolutely heartbroken to hear this news, and I'm thinking of Bernadette and her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," Gallego said. "We cannot tolerate political or sexual violence in any form. Those responsible must be held accountable."

azfamily.com noted that the outlet does not typically identify victims of sexual assault, but that Greene-Placentia came forward publicly with her account.

Source: Google News MT