Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, better known as political activist Joe the Plumber, is dead at 49.
Wurzelbacher gained prominence in 2008 when he met then-candidate Barack Obama in Ohio during the future presidents 2008 presidential campaign. The Republican activist told Obama he was interested in opening a plumbing business and asked how the Democratic candidates tax plan would impact that venture. Wurzelbachers on-camera questions, along with his everyman demeanor, earned him the Joe the Plumber moniker.
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One thing he wasnt was a licensed plumber, according to the Columbia Dispatch, which reported Joe the Plumber never completed an apprenticeship, nor was he a member of Local 50 of the United Association of Plumbers. That union backed Obama in 2008.
In 2016, Wurzelbacher expressed enthusiasm over Donald Trumps White House candidacy.
Hes a winner. Hes made billions, he told Reuters Hes dated beautiful women. His wife is a model. Thats not to sniff at.
Wurzelbacher said Trump was running in an era of when many people are afraid to speak their minds.
They are afraid of being labeled a racist or a homophobe, he lamented.
Wurzelbacher married in 2011 and had three children with his wife Katie, according to a fundraising page set up in 2022 after his family said he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His death was confirmed on that page Sunday.
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-joe-the-plumber-dead-49-samuel-joseph-wurzelbacher-20230828-afd4fj7ckzfvllt6snb6uayl6q-story.html
Was expecting COVID.