Overview
- Justice David Wecht, a longtime Democrat on Pennsylvania’s high court, disclosed Monday that he changed his voter registration to unaffiliated.
- Wecht said he left over what he called growing antisemitism in the party, citing “Nazi tattoos,” “jihadist chants,” and intimidation at synagogues, with outlets linking his tattoo reference to Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.
- He stressed he is not joining the GOP and said his new status matches how he decides cases as a judge.
- U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said he understands Wecht’s personal choice and urged Democrats to confront what he called a rising antisemitism problem.
- Reporters said the switch is unlikely to change the court’s practical balance, and noted Pennsylvania elects justices in partisan contests and then retains them in nonpartisan votes.