Former Phoenix School Board Official Says He Was Accosted At Restaurant By ‘Unhinged White Liberal’

Former Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board member Jeremiah Cota said Thursday that he was verbally confronted at a restaurant by a man who recognized him from his time on the school board.

In a post published to X, Cota wrote, “Tonight I was enjoying a nice dinner out and was accosted randomly by a white liberal who recognized me from being on @PhoenixUnion school board.” He added that the individual “yelled at me calling me a child molester and a neo nazi.” Cota concluded the post by stating, “So wild, these people are unhinged.” 

Tonight I was enjoying a nice dinner out and was a accosted randomly by a white liberal who recognized me from being on @PhoenixUnion school board.

He yelled at me calling me a child molester and a neo nazi.

So wild, these people are unhinged.

— Jeremiah Cota ✝️🇺🇸 (@jeremiahcota) May 9, 2026

Cota’s comments come several months after his resignation from the Phoenix Union board following controversy surrounding his attendance at an event hosted by “Republicans for National Renewal,” a political organization critics characterized as extremist.

In January, a petition from Secular AZ calling for Cota’s resignation gained traction after he posted a photograph from the event on social media. According to a report from FOX 10 Phoenix, critics argued the organization had ties to white nationalist and neo-Nazi movements, while district officials issued statements emphasizing student safety and opposition to hate. 

Carrie Deahl, a PXU English teacher and  told the outlet, “PXU schools need to be safe and welcoming places for all of our students. Students can’t learn and teachers can’t teach when we don’t feel safe.”

“I am deeply worried about the message that his behavior is sending to all of our students and the community,” said Deahl. “His decision to attend this neo-Nazi gathering is outrageous and disqualifying. And he should definitely resign before he damages the reputation of our district.”

The controversy surrounding Cota intensified after disputes over public prayer and cultural acknowledgment practices during board meetings. Critics objected after Cota recited the Lord’s Prayer during a governing board meeting rather than participating in a land acknowledgment statement, drawing backlash from Secular AZ and other progressive activists. 

Pressure on the governing board continued to mount, including calls for formal censure proceedings. In February, KJZZ reported that Phoenix Union officials planned discussions regarding possible disciplinary action against Cota.

He ultimately resigned from the board in February. In a statement posted to X at the time, he announced that he had “officially submitted” his resignation from the district governing board. 

Last night, I officially submitted my resignation as a Phoenix Union High District Governing Board Member @PhoenixUnion to be effective today.

It's unfortunate this board and district continued unfounded and baseless attacks against me. Yet here we are.

Read full statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/HQiI0rQpTN

— Jeremiah Cota ✝️🇺🇸 (@jeremiahcota) February 13, 2026

Cota described “unfounded and baseless attacks” from other board members as leading to his resignation and told AZ Free News that the district was under “gross maladministration and injurious governance.”

Supporters described Cota as the district’s lone conservative board member and noted that supporters had defended him during the controversy as political attacks intensified. Board President Francisco Pastor-Rivera, however, indicated his support for the petition against Cota, saying, “As a board member, you represent making decisions that impact a student’s future. I think this attendance itself, and this action shows true colors all together. I really question if a person is representing the values of the community that they serve.”

“I have been stunned to see how this board and district have engaged in a pattern of harassment and discrimination against fellow community and board members, including the baseless and unfounded accusations against myself,” Cota said in a statement posted to social media. “As an enrolled member of the federally recognized San Carlos Apache Tribe, the outright persecution I have experienced as a board member from other members and direct personnel have jilted my relationships, caused damage and irrefutable harm, and created a toxic operating environment for both personal and professional endeavors.”

Cota did not identify the individual involved in last Thursday’s confrontation or indicate whether law enforcement was contacted.