Samuel Wurzelbacher, Known From 2008 Election as ‘Joe the Plumber,’ Dies at 49

Samuel Wurzelbacher, who became known as metaphorical “Joe the Plumber,” has died. He was 49.

According to multiple media reports, Wurzelbacher’s wife Katie revealed that the cause of death was complications of pancreatic cancer. During his illness, a crowdsource site had raised money for the Wurzelbacher family.

Wurzelbacher rose to fame after he confronted Barack Obama on the former president’s 2008 campaign trail in Ohio about his proposed small business tax increase.

Wurzelbacher asked Obama about the proposal as someone who was looking to buy a plumbing business, which he said would provide him income of $250,000 per year. He wanted to know the details of Obama’s plan, which would affect that potential new income. Video of their conversation made the news.

Obama’s 2008 Republican opponent John McCain brought up “Joe the Plumber” at their final Presidential Debate.

McCain’s running mate Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska, made rally appearances alongside Wurzelbacher.

It was later learned that Wurzelbacher was not a licensed plumber, and while he ran for Congress for Ohio’s 9th District, he only won 23% of the vote to incumbent Marcy Kaptur, the Democratic candidate.

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