This moment made him famous: "Joe, the plumber" (right) during the 2008 US election campaign in conversation with the later US President Barack Obama.

DLNews News Staff:

From plumber to political celebrity: "Joe the Plumber" was the secret star of the 2008 US presidential election campaign. Now, the 49-year-old has died after a long illness.

At that time, Barack Obama (62) competed against John McCain († 81) in the race for the White House - and for the Republicans under McCain, there was a defeat in the House.

Wurzelbacher with the then-Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin at a campaign event.

Then McCain unpacked a secret weapon: Samuel Joseph "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher.

 

The plumber from a suburb of Toledo, Ohio, became a media sensation when he asked Obama about his tax plan at a campaign event.

Their exchange and Obama's response that he wanted to "distribute the wealth" was repeatedly televised. Days later, US Senator McCain kept quoting “Joe the Plumber” in a presidential debate. The Republican said Obama's plans would hurt people like him.

After that, Joe became a political star: he toured the country in his campaign bus and campaigned for McCain. But the plumber couldn't do anything; Obama won the election by a landslide.

But fame from the election campaign made him a sought-after voice for many conservative politicians. He traveled the United States, advertising for the Republicans. In 2012, he ran for a seat in Ohio's US House of Representatives but lost in a heavily Democratic district.

During the election campaign, he frightened voters with statements that years later would bring ex-President Donald Trump (77) to the White House: For example, a large wall should be built on the border with Mexico, and migrants should be turned away with a firm hand.

According to his statement, he turned away from politics in disappointment and returned to work as a plumber.

Joe's death came as little surprise to his family: His eldest son, Joey Rootbacher, said his father died in Wisconsin on Sunday. His family announced earlier this year that he had pancreatic cancer.

"All I have to say is that he was a real patriot," says Joey Wurzelbacher. “His great thing is that everyone comes to God. He taught me that, and I hope many people will hear that message.”