Pennsylvania Justice Leaves Democrats Over ‘Disturbingly Common’ Jew-Hatred

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht announced Monday that he has left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent, citing what he described as the party’s growing tolerance for antisemitism.

“The Democratic Party has changed,” Wecht said in a statement released. He said he was speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the court.

Wecht previously served as vice chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party from 1998 to 2001 and has sat on the state Supreme Court since 2016. In November 2025, he was retained for another 10-year term with 60% of the vote, after Democratic and allied groups spent heavily to preserve the court’s Democratic-aligned majority.

Wecht made clear that his decision was driven by what he sees as a deeper problem inside the party. “Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party,” he said. “I can no longer abide this. So, I won’t. I am no longer registered within any political party.”

Wecht tied his warning to his personal connection to Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh, where he and his wife were married and where he served on the board. The synagogue was the site of the 2018 massacre that shocked American Jewry.

“That terror came from the right. Jew-hatred has always festered on the fringe of that sector,” Wecht said. “In the years that have followed, that same hatred has grown on the left.”

He pointed to a series of recent examples that he said showed antisemitism being excused or ignored.

“Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled,” he said.

Wecht did not name specific Democrats, though his reference to “Nazi tattoos” appeared to point to the controversy surrounding Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, whose tattoo drew scrutiny over its resemblance to a Nazi symbol.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat who has been outspoken in support of Israel and against antisemitism, said he understood Wecht’s decision.

“The Democratic Party must confront its own rising antisemitism problem,” Fetterman said. He added, “As I’ve affirmed, I’m not changing my party — but I fully understand David’s personal choice.”

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party did not immediately respond to requests for comment from several outlets.

Wecht said he would continue to uphold the constitutional rights of “haters and extremists of all stripes” and remain impartial on the bench.

“It is my hope that Pennsylvanians, and Americans, of all viewpoints and backgrounds will oppose and resist the scourge of Jew-hatred before it undermines what our ancestors have built here,” he said.