Samuel wurzelbacher biography

Samuel Wurzelbacher


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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher was a 2012 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 9th Congressional District of Ohio.[1]

Campaign themes

2012

On his 2012 campaign website, Wurzelbacher outlined his central campaign themes:

  • " I (along with other freedom-loving Americans) have spent the last 3 years watching now President Obama make good on his threat of spreading the wealth around. It’s not working for us. Rather than spreading the wealth around, he’s making EVERYONE poor to gain political control. We all have to work to stop this insanity. I am choosing not to be a spectator in the governing of this country. I am choosing to fight the power grabs and corruption that is permeating every level of our government. I am running for Congress in the 9th District of Ohio. And I’m asking you to stand with me. Enough is enough. "

Primary endorsements

Electio

Joe the Plumber

American conservative activist (1973–2023)

Joe the Plumber

Wurzelbacher in 2008

Born

Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher


(1973-12-03)December 3, 1973

Toledo, Ohio, U.S.

DiedAugust 27, 2023(2023-08-27) (aged 49)

Campbellsport, Wisconsin, U.S.

Occupations
  • Political activist
  • businessman
  • plumber's assistant
Political party
SpouseKatie Schanen
Children4

Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher (WUR-zəl-bah-kər; 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.

After he told Senator Obama that he was interested in purchasing a small plumbing business, Wurzelbacher was given the moniker "Joe the Plumber" by the McCain–Palin campaign. The c

Joe the Plumber: Fighting for the American Dream

Joe The Plumber was catapulted into the media spotlight after asking, then Senator Barack Obama a simple question while campaigning in Joe's neighborhood. Their famous exchange has been replayed for millions of viewers the world over. Joe has since become an American folk hero and the ultimate icon of the working class. Joe The Plumber - Fighting for the American Dream follows Joe's adventures in the media and along the campaign trail up to the 2008 Presidential Election. Discover the Real Story that hasn't been told about his rendezvous with Obama, the real and personal impact of the illegal invasion of his privacy by Ohio State officials, his eye-opening experience with Governor Sarah Palin, and the tough question he asked John McCain while on his Straight Talk Express. Readers will enjoy Joe's witticisms, his reflections about his upbringing, and come to know the real man aside from myth and legend.

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