Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, who rose to national fame as “Joe the Plumber” after facing Barack Obama on the 2008 campaign, died Sunday, his family confirmed.
Wurzelbacher, 49, died after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer in July, his wife, Katie Wurzelbacher, told Fox News.
“Our hearts are broken. We lost our beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend. He impacted many lives,” the widow wrote in a statement.
“When I met Joe, he was already known to others as ‘Joe the Plumber’ but he wrote something to me that stood out and showed me who he really was: ‘just Joe,'” he said. “He was a simple and honorable man who tried to do great things for the country he loved so much after being thrown into the public eye for asking questions.”
Wurzelbacher became a symbol of the average Joe when the plumber challenged Obama at a campaign event in Toledo, Ohio, accusing the presidential candidate’s tax plan of running counter to the American Dream.
“Joe the Plumber” gained national media attention for confronting then-presidential candidate Barack Obama on the 2008 campaign trail. Getty Images
John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate at the time, eventually asked Wurzelbacher to join him on the campaign trail. Getty Images
Joe Wurzelbacher announced in July that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.Getty Images
The local man criticized the tax policy as a blow to small business owners like himself, with the impasse erupting in the news cycle and gaining attention from the Republican party.
The McCain-Palin campaign later nicknamed him “Joe the Plumber,” and invited Wurzelbacher to speak at campaign events on behalf of the American middle class.
Wurzelbacher’s influence in the election was evident when his name was mentioned more than a dozen times during the October 15, 2008 debate between Obama and McCain.
“He was an ordinary and honorable man who tried to do great things for the country he loved so much after being thrust into the public eye for asking questions,” his wife wrote in a statement. AFP via Getty Images
A fundraiser set up several months ago on Christian crowdfunding website GiveSendGo to support Wurzelbacher’s family amid his battle with cancer raised $139,147 as of Monday. Getty Images
Wurzelbacher will continue to work as an author and motivational speaker. He also ran unsuccessfully in a 2012 bid against incumbent Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur for Ohio’s 9th congressional seat.
“To everyone who has and continues to support us, and there have been so many, Thank You,” Katie said in a statement. “You have helped bring Joe peace and for that I will always be grateful.”
A month before his death, Wurzelbacher’s family set up a GiveSendGo fundraiser to help his battle with cancer, which raised $139,147 as of Monday.
Wurzelbacher ran an unsuccessful bid for Ohio’s 9th congressional seat in 2012.Getty Images
“My heart goes out to everyone whose lives have been affected by cancer” said Katie. “There are many ups and downs but we try to find joy in every day.
He fought long and hard, but is now free from pain,” he added. “I don’t think he lost the battle. Because he knew Jesus, his battle was won.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
