published on in Wiki

Joseph Wurzelbacher, Dies at 49 After Battle with Pancreatic Cancer

Toledo, Ohio – Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, better known as “Joe the Plumber” from the 2008 U.S. presidential election, has died at the age of 49 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Wurzelbacher rose to prominence during the 2008 election when he questioned then-candidate Barack Obama about his tax policy during a campaign stop in Ohio. His blunt, straightforward question about how Obama’s plan would affect small business owners struck a chord with many voters and cast a spotlight on Obama’s tax policies.

Wurzelbacher Passed Away on August 27 After Months-Long Cancer Battle

According to close friends, Wurzelbacher passed away on August 27, 2023 at the age of 49. He had been battling stage 3 pancreatic cancer since earlier this year.

The cancer diagnosis came after Wurzelbacher experienced severe stomach pains around Christmas which landed him in the emergency room. Doctors discovered a large tumor on his pancreas, which was later confirmed to be cancerous.

Wurzelbacher underwent chemotherapy treatment, but dealt with extreme fatigue and weakness that made it difficult for him to work. He lost 70 pounds during his cancer battle as the disease took its toll.

Wurzelbacher Leaves Behind Wife, 3 Children

Wurzelbacher is survived by his wife, Katie Wurzelbacher, and their three young children. He met Katie in 2008 during the height of his fame as “Joe the Plumber” and they married in 2011.

Katie Wurzelbacher set up a GiveSendGo fundraising page earlier this year to help with medical bills and daily expenses as Joe underwent cancer treatment. On the page, she described his struggle with the side effects of chemotherapy and the financial impact of his inability to work.

MC Marcinho Died, Brazil Bids Farewell to Funk Icon

“Joe the Plumber” Rose to Fame During 2008 Election

Wurzelbacher had been working as a plumber in Ohio when he attended a 2008 campaign event for then-candidate Barack Obama in his neighborhood. He asked Obama about his tax policy and how it would impact him as a small business owner.

Specifically, Wurzelbacher asked if Obama’s plan would tax him more if he purchased a plumbing business that earned $250,000-$280,000 per year.

Obama responded that business owners earning under $250,000 would see no tax increases, while those earning above that threshold would see modest increases. He spoke about the benefits of “spreading the wealth around,” a comment the McCain campaign seized on as evidence of Obama’s socialist views.

The exchange was filmed and quickly went viral online, turning Wurzelbacher into an overnight political sensation. Given the nickname “Joe the Plumber” by the media, he became a symbol of blue-collar working Americans and a critic of Obama’s economic policies.

How did Bray Wyatt Died? His Cause of Death ExplainedBray Wyatt Died

Overnight Sensation Turned Controversial Political Figure

While Wurzelbacher became a household name and conservative darling after his encounter with Obama, he also quickly became a controversial figure.

The media investigated his background, revealing he wasn’t actually a licensed plumber at the time. Some stories also painted him as a tax delinquent, which Wurzelbacher denied.

Nonetheless, McCain’s campaign capitalized on his overnight fame and devoted significant resources to casting “Joe the Plumber” as the archetypal American worker in their attacks on Obama’s tax plan.

Wurzelbacher made appearances at McCain rallies, spoke at the Republican National Convention, and was even mentioned more than 20 times during the final presidential debate in 2008.

He also enjoyed something of a pop culture moment, with Halloween costumes and merch created bearing his likeness. Several books were written about his legacy and a TV movie called “Joe the Plumber: Ordinary Joe” was released about his life.

While he never returned to anonymity, his moment in the national spotlight was short-lived. Nonetheless, his place in U.S. political history was cemented.

Post-Election, Remained Conservative Activist and Commentator

After the 2008 election spotlight dimmed, Wurzelbacher stayed engaged in politics as a conservative activist and commentator.

He ran for Congress in Ohio as a Republican in 2012, but lost in the primary. In 2016, he resurfaced to endorse Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in an op-ed for Breitbart News.

Over the years, he leveraged his “Joe the Plumber” fame to express his conservative views on networks like Fox News and through books like “Fight For America: How My Faith, Family & Small Business Heartland Values Make Me an American Patriot Today.”

While Wurzelbacher faded from the national political conversation in more recent years, he remained a well-known figure among conservatives. His passing prompted an outpouring of condolences and remembrances from right-wing media figures and politicians.

Cause of Death: Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer

Joe Wurzelbacher passed away on August 27 after battling stage 3 pancreatic cancer since earlier this year. His wife revealed that he was diagnosed after severe stomach pains around Christmas landed him in the ER.

Doctors discovered a large, cancerous tumor on his pancreas. He underwent chemotherapy, which left him extremely weak and fatigued. He lost a significant amount of weight as the cancer took its toll on his health.

Pancreatic cancer is an extremely deadly form of the disease, with just a 10% five-year survival rate. It is difficult to detect early and spreads rapidly.

By the time Wurzelbacher was diagnosed, the cancer was already at stage 3 – indicating it had begun metastasizing and spreading to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is the standard treatment but is largely aimed at extending life, not curing the disease.

For Wurzelbacher, the harsh cancer treatment only slowed the inevitable. The disease claimed his life just months after the initial diagnosis at the young age of 49.

His death underscores the urgent need for increased research into early detection and treatment advances for pancreatic cancer. It also highlights the importance of not ignoring symptoms and getting screened when warning signs appear.

Tributes Pour In Honoring “Joe the Plumber”

As news of Wurzelbacher’s death spread online, tributes and remembrances began pouring in from conservatives and pro-Trump figures across the internet.

Many offered condolences to his family and praised Wurzelbacher for his honesty in challenging Barack Obama on taxes. Some highlighted his embodiment of hard-working, middle class Americans who questioned ever-growing government.

Fox News host Sean Hannity tweeted that Joe was a “Great American” who “exposed Obama’s socialist agenda.”

Right-wing blogger Michelle Malkin said Wurzelbacher was an “American patriot in his own right” who took the “fight directly to the Democratic candidate.”

Others like radio host Mark Levin also chimed in, calling him a “good man” who “took a lot of crap from liberal elites and media hacks.”

Kerri Toloczko Shared a tribute post on facebook by writing:-

So sad to learn of the death today of our friend Samuel J Wurzelbacher, aka “Joe the Plumber.” He suffered terribly over the last few months from pancreatic cancer that metastasized rapidly. I once told Joe that he was a walking metaphor. He was a remarkable combination of humble and brash. He was a metaphor for what American citizens should be: more important than government with the right to speak truth to power — and the courage. His response? “I was just worried about my bank account. I need to go try and get an interview with that guy …” Classic. Yes, famous. But husband to Katie and four children. Prayers of comfort and strength has they weather Joe’s loss with a full portion of gratitude for his life and a full portion of grief.

Antonio Guziel Shared a post on Facebook by writing:-

Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher (December 3, 1973 – August 27, 2023), commonly known as “Joe the Plumber”, was an American conservative activist and commentator.

He gained national attention during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign season when, during a videotaped campaign stop in Ohio by Democratic nominee Barack Obama, Wurzelbacher raised concerns that Obama’s tax policy would increase taxes on small business owners. Wurzelbacher was a member of the Republican Party.

In 2023, Wurzelbacher was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died on August 27, 2023, aged 49. He was survived by his wife Katie and four children.

While divisive among liberals, Wurzelbacher remained an admired figure on the American right up until his death. His pointed questioning of Barack Obama will live on as a defining story from the contentious 2008 presidential race.

For conservatives, “Joe the Plumber” gave voice to their unease with Obama’s policies in a blunt, straightforward way. That candor ultimately changed the course of the election and etched Wurzelbacher’s place in the political history books.

ncG1vNJzZminqJyusb%2BNqKmgZ5qkwKa8x2aurqqqmrmjrcKhnKtllJ6ytHnArWRtcV2Ws7Wx0WaZmqykobJuw8itn2aokaOws7HAraCcZZOWu6Sx0Wg%3D