TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Samuel “Joe” Wurzelbacher, who was thrust into the political highlight as “Joe the Plumber” after questioning Barack Obama about his financial insurance policies through the 2008 presidential marketing campaign, has died, his son stated Monday. He was 49.
His oldest son, Joey Wurzelbacher, stated his father died Sunday in Wisconsin after an extended sickness. His household introduced this 12 months on a web based fundraising web site 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 — stated in a phone interview. “His massive factor is that everybody come to God. That’s what he taught me, and that’s 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 needed 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, Sarah Palin, however he later criticized McCain in his e-book and stated he didn’t need him because the GOP presidential nominee.
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 occasion rallies and conservative gatherings.
He additionally wrote a e-book and labored with a veterans group that supplied outside packages 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 usher in sufficient cash to mount a critical problem. However he drew criticism through the marketing campaign for suggesting that the US ought to construct a fence on the Mexico border and “begin taking pictures” at suspected unlawful immigrants.
Wurzelbacher returned to working as a plumber after he gave up on politics, his household stated.
Funeral preparations had been pending. Survivors embrace his spouse, Katie, and 4 youngsters.
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Related Press author Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.