Pa. Supreme Court Justice David Wecht leaves Democratic Party over antisemitism concerns Updated: May. 11, 2026, 5:35 p.m.|Published: May. 11, 2026, 5:16 p.m.
PennLiveBy J.D. Prose
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht, who won retention as a Democrat last year, said Monday that he has become an independent because of what he believes is rising antisemitism within the party.
Wecht recalled that he served as vice-chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party from 1998 to 2001, but said the party has changed since then.
“Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled. Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party,” he wrote. “I can no longer abide this. So, I won’t. I am no longer registered within any political party.”
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party both declined to comment about Wecht’s decision. ...
