Arizona congressional candidate says she was raped while repairing campaign sign

Meanwhile, a congressional candidate in Arizona has remarked she was raped in a car park as she repaired campaign signs late at night in her district.

Key points

• She remarked she did not initially notify police until filing a report with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office two weeks afterwards.
• Greene-Placentia informed the Phoenix New Times she was "embarrassed" and "just wanted to forget", but felt compelled stand up for other victims.
• When she emerged, her husband, campaign staff and others in her circle noticed she was acting differently, according to Phoenix New Times.
• The BBC has contacted the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for comment.
• After the attack, Greene-Placentia remarked she withdrew from the public for two days, staying in an apartment separate from her husband and skipping a campaign event.

Bernadette Greene-Placentia, a Democrat, informed the Phoenix New Times, external she was knocked unconscious during the alleged attack in the Phoenix suburb of Sun City on 14 August, waking up to find a man on top of her.

Her Republican opponent, Abraham Hamadeh, pressed authorities in an official note to "investigate these serious allegations thoroughly, including finding all possible camera footage of the time and place".

"No American should become a victim of a crime in their own community, " remarked Hamadeh, who is running for a second term in office.

Notably, the candidate remarked she often speaks on the campaign trail concerning fighting for Arizonans.

She informed the Phoenix New Times: "I didn't feel like I could keep saying that if I weren't also fighting for women that are victims of sexual assault."

Meanwhile, the BBC has contacted the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for comment. A sheriff's spokesman informed the New York Times the investigation was ongoing.

Greene-Placentia remarked she did not see a doctor after the alleged attack in congressional district eight and did not receive a sexual assault examination.

She remarked her memory of what happened was spotty and she did not secure a good look at either of the two assailants, but described them as white men, according to the New York Times.

Although she could not be certain, she informed the Phoenix New Times that one assailant may have produced a comment regarding her political affiliation, together with a misogynistic slur.

Notably, the candidate remarked she was concerned voters might think it was a political stunt to win points in a heavily Republican district. She additionally expressed concern that the allegations might overshadow her messaging around affordability.

In short, arizona congressional candidate says she was raped while repairing campaign sign is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.