Barack Obama solutions a query from Joe Wurzelbacher, often known as “Joe the Plumber,” proper, whereas campaigning for the White Home in Holland, Ohio, Oct. 12, 2008.
Jae C. Hong/AP
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Barack Obama solutions a query from Joe Wurzelbacher, often known as “Joe the Plumber,” proper, whereas campaigning for the White Home in Holland, Ohio, Oct. 12, 2008.
Jae C. Hong/AP
TOLEDO, Ohio — Samuel “Joe” Wurzelbacher, who was thrust into the political highlight as “Joe the Plumber” after questioning Barack Obama about his financial insurance policies throughout the 2008 presidential marketing campaign, and who later forayed into politics himself, has died, his son mentioned Monday. He was 49.
His oldest son, Joey Wurzelbacher, mentioned his father died Sunday in Wisconsin after an extended sickness. His household introduced this 12 months on an internet fundraising website that he had pancreatic most cancers.
“The one factor I’ve to say is that he was a real patriot,” Joey Wurzelbacher — whose father had the center identify Joseph and glided by Joe — mentioned in a phone interview. “His huge factor is that everybody come to God. That is what he taught me, and that is a message I hope is heard by lots of people.”
He went from toiling as a plumber in suburban Toledo, Ohio, to life as a media sensation when he requested Obama about his tax plan throughout a marketing campaign cease.
Their trade and Obama’s response that he wished to “unfold the wealth round” aired typically on cable information. Days later, Obama’s Republican opponent, U.S. Sen. John McCain, repeatedly cited “Joe the Plumber” in a presidential debate.
Wurzelbacher went on to marketing campaign with McCain and his operating mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, however he later criticized McCain in his guide and mentioned he didn’t need him because the GOP presidential nominee.
Republican presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., proper, stands with Joe Wurzelbacher, often known as “Joe the Plumber,” left, at a rally at Mentor Excessive Faculty in Mentor, Ohio, on Oct. 30, 2008.
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Republican presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., proper, stands with Joe Wurzelbacher, often known as “Joe the Plumber,” left, at a rally at Mentor Excessive Faculty in Mentor, Ohio, on Oct. 30, 2008.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
His sudden fame turned him right into a sought-after voice for a lot of anti-establishment conservatives, and he traveled the nation talking at tea social gathering rallies and conservative gatherings.
He additionally wrote a guide and labored with a veterans group that supplied outside applications for wounded troopers.
In 2012, he made a bid for a U.S. Home seat in Ohio, however he misplaced in a landslide to Democrat Marcy Kaptur in a district closely tilted towards Democrats.
Republicans had recruited him to run and thought his fame would assist herald sufficient cash to mount a critical problem. However he drew criticism throughout the marketing campaign for suggesting that the US ought to construct a fence on the Mexico border and “begin taking pictures” at immigrants suspected of coming into the nation illegally.
Wurzelbacher returned to working as a plumber after he gave up on politics, his household mentioned.
Funeral preparations had been pending. Survivors embrace his spouse, Katie, and 4 kids.
