PHX Reporter

Phoenix grassroots activist Merissa Hamilton called the Secular AZ Executive Director Jeanne Casteen "unstable" after Casteen posted a profanity-laden social media video criticizing local parents in the Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) for speaking out about boys being allowed to use girls’ bathrooms within the school district.

"Man, Legislative District 2 dodged a bullet in not electing Jeanne Casteen," Hamilton posted on X in response to the social media account "Libs of Tik Tok", which shared Casteen's original video. "She's completely unstable!"

In her video, Casteen said "there's nothing Christian" about the parents and, "if Christ were to come back today, they'd f__king kill him," reported NW Valley Times.

"X" posts by Merissa Hamilton and Libs of Tok Tok commenting on Jeanne Casteen's "PUSD F_ckery" video | Twitter

"F-ck these people. F-ck their bullshit. F-ck them," said Casteen in her video.

The video, entitled "PUSD F-ckery" also accused the "minions" of these parents of "vandalizing somebody's vehicle."

A native of Harvard, Ill., Casteen has more than “11 years of experience teaching in Maricopa County’s public schools” and is a graduate of Arizona State University, according to the Secular AZ website. She ran unsuccessfully in 2020 for Maricopa County School Superintendent. 

In 2022, she ran for State Senate in Arizona Legislative District 2, losing to Republican Steve Kaiser by a vote of 51.8 to 41.2

Secular AZ is a non-profit advocacy organization that works to “ensure a secular state government.”

Hamilton has worked as chairwoman of Strong Communities Action since April 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile. She worked as the national grassroots director for FreedomWorks from 2022 to 2023 was defeated in the the 2020 election for Phoenix Mayor by current Mayor Kate Gallego. Hamilton previously worked as the director of constituent services and strategic projects for the City of Phoenix.