Congressional Candidate Says She Was Sexually Assaulted While Campaigning

Arizona congressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia says she was sexually assaulted while repairing campaign signs in the Phoenix area, an allegation now under investigation by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Greene-Placentia, the Democratic nominee in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, said the attack happened during the early morning hours of Aug. 14 in Sun City.

According to her account, she was walking through a dark parking lot shortly after 2 a.m. to repair a damaged campaign sign when she was struck in the head and lost consciousness.

She said she later regained awareness and realized she was being sexually assaulted. Greene-Placentia also reported that a second man was involved.

The details remain allegations, and law enforcement has not announced any arrests or convictions in connection with the case.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Greene-Placentia filed a report on Aug. 31.

Since sharing her story, Bernadette has received an extraordinary outpouring of love, compassion, and support from people across the country and around the world. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has reached out.

Bernadette chose to speak publicly about the sexual assault she survived because too many survivors carry their experiences in silence. Her message to them remains clear: You are seen. You are heard. You are not alone.

Your kindness and solidarity have meant more than words can express.

As Bernadette said, “What happened will not silence me.”

Please read her full statement below.

#BernadetteForCongress #AZ08 #TruckerTough

— Bernadette for Congress (@bernadetteaz08) October 8, 2026

Authorities have declined to release additional details while the investigation remains active.

Greene-Placentia initially kept the alleged assault private and later told the Phoenix New Times that she did not immediately want to make a report.

She said she was “embarrassed” and wanted to “forget it happened.”

The candidate eventually disclosed the allegation to people close to her campaign and later contacted law enforcement.

She has since chosen to speak publicly about what she says happened while continuing her campaign for Congress.

Greene-Placentia is challenging Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh in Arizona‘s heavily Republican 8th Congressional District, which covers much of the northwest Phoenix Valley.

She is a longtime long-haul truck driver who moved to the district with her husband in 2017.

The alleged attack occurred in the middle of a high-stakes election season as candidates across the country spend long hours canvassing neighborhoods, attending events and maintaining campaign signs.

There is currently no publicly established evidence showing that the alleged assault was politically motivated.

Greene-Placentia has continued campaigning while the sheriff’s office investigates her report.

The case remains open.

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