Jeremiah Cota is out on the Phoenix Union High School District governing board, resigning Tuesday after weeks of mounting backlash over a holiday party he attended that critics say was connected to neo-Nazi and white-supremacist organizers. His decision clears out an appointed member who had become a lightning rod, drawing street protests, an online petition and talk of a formal censure.
As reported by The Arizona Republic, Cota announced his resignation on Feb. 13 and posted on social media that he had faced “persecution” from other board members and district personnel, which he said damaged relationships and created a “toxic environment.” According to the newspaper, the pressure intensified after he shared a photo from a December holiday party that quickly drew criticism.
Event Tied To Far-Right Group
The uproar traces back to a photo Cota posted from a Republicans for National Renewal holiday party, a group that the Arizona Mirror reported has links to white-nationalist organizers. The outlet documented leaders associated with extremist channels and noted that several Arizona Republicans publicly backed away from events connected to the group once those links became public.
Pressure From Community And Board Meetings
Calls for Cota’s removal picked up speed after an online petition gathered hundreds of signatures, Fox10 Phoenix reported. At the same time, the governing board put a discussion of possible censure on its agenda, according to KJZZ. In recent meetings, teachers, parents and students lined up at the microphone to question whether attending that event squared with serving a district whose students come from a wide range of backgrounds.
District Response And Filling The Seat
District spokesperson Richard Franco told The Arizona Republic that officials hope whoever is appointed to fill Cota’s seat will be more closely aligned with constituents until voters select a permanent replacement in November. Franco also reiterated that the district does not condone hate in any form, according to the newspaper.
Cota himself was an appointee, placed on the governing board in summer 2025 by the Maricopa County superintendent, a move that had already stirred debate about partisan influence on school boards, the Phoenix New Times reported. His resignation now returns the power to that same superintendent, who under state procedures is tasked with naming an interim replacement to serve until the November election…