# Arizona House candidate shared rape story while fixing campaign signs

> Arizona House candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia revealed she was raped while repairing campaign signs in August.
- Title: Arizona House candidate shared rape story while fixing…
- Summary: Arizona House candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia revealed she was raped while repairing campaign signs in August. Arizona Democratic House candidate…
- Keywords: bernadette greenes-placentia, arizona house candidate, campaign signs, sexual assault, rape, congressional district, republican incumbent, news, politics, Arizona, House, candidate
- Source: Salon — https://salon.com/2026/10/10/arizona-house-candidate-said-she-was-raped-while-fixing-campaign-signs-partner
- Author: Jasmine Mithani, The 19th
- Published: 2026-10-10T10:00:57+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bernadette greenes-placentia, arizona house candidate, campaign signs, sexual assault, rape, congressional district, republican incumbent, news, politics
## Bernadette Greene-Placentia
Arizona Democratic House candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia shared her rape story for the first time.

> I’d always considered myself a strong person, and so I was embarrassed
## August 14 attack
Greene-Placentia said she was raped around 2 a.m. on August 14 while fixing campaign signs to avoid heat and traffic.

> an attacker knocked her out around 2 a.m. on August 14
## Survivor's account
She said a man pulled his penis out of her and another man touched her but backed off after she fought back.

> a man was pulling his penis out of her
## Initial hesitation
Greene-Placentia initially hesitated to report the assault due to embarrassment and feeling strong.

> I’d always considered myself a strong person, and so I was embarrassed
## Reported two weeks later
She called Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office two weeks after the assault to report it.

> two weeks later she called the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
## Rape underreporting
FBI data shows fewer than 1 in 3 rape cases are cleared since September 2021, highlighting underreporting.

> fewer than 1 in 3 rape cases have been cleared since September 2021
## Current campaign
Greene-Placentia is challenging Republican incumbent Abe Hamadeh in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.

> challenging the Republican incumbent Abe Hamadeh
## Campaign response
Hamadeh’s campaign urged thorough investigation of the allegations and camera footage to prosecute the crime.

> I have read the disturbing story and call upon authorities to investigate these serious allegations thoroughly
## Key takeaway

Arizona Democratic House candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia said she was raped on August 14 while fixing campaign signs, leading her to speak out about survivor support.