Politicians heartbroken, outraged at Congressional candidate’s rape

Outrage. Heartbreak. A demand for justice.

This was the unanimous sentiment from some of Arizona’s top elected officials in response to the disturbing news broken by the Phoenix New Times that congressional candidate Bernadette Greene-Placentia was raped while repairing her damaged campaign signs. Leaders called for the perpetrators to be held accountable. 

Gov. Katie Hobbs’ spokesperson, Liliana Soto, said the governor is “outraged by the sexual assault” against Greene-Placentia.

“This was a cruel and cowardly attack, and it has no place in Arizona,” Soto wrote. “No one should have to fear for their safety, or the safety of the people they love, while serving their community.” 

Just after 2 a.m. on August 14, Greene-Placentia pulled into a parking lot to repair a damaged campaign sign along a roadway in the northwest Valley. It was a routine she’d followed all summer. It’s a chore more comfortable to do at night to avoid Phoenix’s scorching daytime heat. But she only made it a few yards before an unknown attacker smashed her over the head. She blacked out and woke up to find a strange man on top of her. 

The attacker pulled his penis out of her as she struggled to open her eyes. Greene-Placentia heard him mumble something like, “-ic bitch, not a very good fuck,” which her mind filled in as “Democratic bitch,” she recalled. She wasn’t sure that was exactly what he said.

Another man came over, and she felt his weight nudging her left leg further apart. She began swinging her foot at him. “Not even worth it,” she heard the second man say as he moved away. He wore black boots and had small feet, she recalled. The two men left Greene-Placentia face down in the parking lot.

Phoenix New Times reported Greene-Placentia’s story on Wednesday morning. The story has drawn anger and shock from the state’s political community and everyday residents online. 

In a statement, Sen. Mark Kelly called the assault an “outrage.” 

“Nobody should ever face violence like that,” he said. 

He applauded her bravery in an extremely difficult situation. 

“It took real courage for Bernadette to speak publicly about something so painful,” he said.

Kelly also said Greene-Placentia’s decision to share her story will help sexual assault survivors nationwide. 

“There are women across Arizona and across this country who have been sexually assaulted and face it alone because they’re afraid or worried they won’t be believed,” Kelly stated. “By telling her story, she’s showing them they aren’t alone.”

Kelly’s colleague in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Ruben Gallego, said he was “absolutely heartbroken by the news.” 

He thanked Greene-Placentia for speaking out. 

“We cannot tolerate political or sexual violence in any form,” he added.  

Democrat Rep. Greg Stanton spoke with Greene-Placentia Wednesday to “thank her for her extraordinary courage” in speaking out. He added in a statement that “no one should ever be subjected to this kind of violence — especially while engaging in the democratic process.” 

Calli Jones, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ Office, called the incident “heartbreaking.” 

“Our thoughts go out to Bernadette during this difficult time,” she said. 

In a social media post, Attorney General Kris Mayes called the “horrific violence shocking, appalling and completely unacceptable.” 

Top state leaders, including Gallego, Kelly, Stanton, and Fontes’ office, called for a “thorough investigation” and said the two perpetrators of the assault against Greene-Placentia “must be held accountable.”

“I ask anyone with information to come forward and contact the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office,” Kelly said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment Wednesday afternoon, citing the ongoing investigation. 

Greene-Placentia, a longtime long-haul trucker, remains in the race for Arizona’s 8th congressional district. She’s challenging MAGA incumbent Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh for his seat. The ultra-red district covers a large swath of the northwest Valley, including north Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, and up into Anthem. 

“It takes bravery to run for office,” Jones wrote, “but to continue your commitment in the face of a personal tragedy like this is inspiring.”