Pennsylvania Justice Leaves Democratic Party Over Antisemitism Concerns

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht announced on Monday that he is leaving the Democratic Party, citing what he described as a growing tolerance for antisemitism within the party. Wecht, who was first elected to the court in 2015 and won a retention election last November, stated that he is now an independent. In a statement, Wecht said that the Democratic Party has changed significantly since he served as Vice-Chair from 1998 to 2001, noting that antisemitism has become more prevalent among activists, leaders, and elected officials. He specifically mentioned incidents such as Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, and attacks on synagogues as evidence of this shift. Wecht also referenced the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, where he and his wife were married, as an example of antisemitism coming from the right. He argued that similar hatred has since grown on the left and moved from the fringe to the mainstream. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) responded to Wecht’s announcement, acknowledging the issue but stating he would not change his own party affiliation. Fetterman called on the Democratic Party to confront its antisemitism problem. Wecht’s departure will not significantly alter the balance of power on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, where four of the seven justices remain Democrats.