Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht has officially cut ties with the Democratic Party, citing a “disturbingly common” rise in antisemitism within the political organization he once helped lead.
Wecht, who has served on the state’s high court since 2016, released a statement confirming that he is now an unaffiliated voter.
The decision marks a sharp break for a man who served as the Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party from 1998 to 2001. In his statement,
Wecht argued that the party has transformed significantly over the last 25 years, claiming that “Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled.”
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Wecht further asserted that “acquiescence to Jew-hatred” has become a fixture among party activists and elected officials. “I can no longer abide this. So, I won’t,” Wecht said. “I am no longer registered within any political party.”
The justice, who recently won a retention election in 2025, expressed hope that Americans of all backgrounds would unite against antisemitism to protect the country’s foundations.
U.S. Senator John Fetterman, a prominent Pennsylvania Democrat, responded to the news on social media. While Fetterman clarified that he is not leaving the party himself, he expressed empathy for the justice’s move.
“I know David and his legendary father, Cyril,” Fetterman posted on X. “As I’ve affirmed, I’m not changing my party — but I fully understand David’s personal choice.”
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party has not yet released a formal response to the justice’s departure or his specific allegations regarding the party’s culture.
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