Joe the Plumber, Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, Dies at 49
Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, who gained fame as “Joe the Plumber” during the 2008 presidential campaign, has passed away at the age of 49. Wurzelbacher rose to prominence after he engaged in a discussion with then-presidential candidate Barack Obama about taxing small businesses. His wife, Katie Wurzelbacher, confirmed that he died due to complications from pancreatic cancer at his home in Campbellsport, Wisconsin.
During a campaign stop in Toledo, Ohio, Wurzelbacher approached Obama and expressed concerns about how the proposed tax increase would affect his ability to purchase a plumbing business. This impromptu encounter was nationally televised and led to Wurzelbacher being labeled as the metaphorical American middle-class Everyman. His story resonated with many McCain supporters and conservative commentators who believed Obama’s economic policies contradicted the American dream.
Wurzelbacher’s fame was short-lived, and public opinion shifted when it was revealed that he was not a licensed plumber and owed back taxes. Despite his initial support for McCain, he later referred to him as “the lesser of two evils” and never disclosed who he voted for in the 2008 election.
In 2012, Wurzelbacher ran as the Republican nominee for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent. Throughout his campaign, he defended the Second Amendment and argued against gun control. He made controversial statements, including one to parents of victims of a mass shooting, asserting his constitutional rights.
Wurzelbacher was born on December 3, 1973, and served in the Air Force as a plumber after high school. Following his brief period of fame in 2008, he appeared in TV commercials, published a book, and worked as a journalist covering the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
He is survived by his wife, Katie, and four children. Despite his moment in the spotlight, Wurzelbacher remained a private individual when it came to his political preferences. His wife confirmed this, saying, “Let’s still keep that private.”
Reflecting on his encounter with Obama in 2008, Wurzelbacher maintained his belief in individual discretion when it came to sharing wealth. He rejected the notion that it is the government’s role to decide how much individuals should contribute to others, stating, “That’s not the American dream.”
His wife emphasized that the encounter was entirely spontaneous and not staged by any political operatives. It was a neighbor who had arranged for Obama’s appearance in the neighborhood, coincidentally leading to Wurzelbacher’s rise to national fame.
As news of Wurzelbacher’s passing spreads, many will remember him as a symbol of working-class America who ignited a heated debate on economic policies during a crucial moment in American politics.