'Joe the Plumber' Dies at 49, Remembered for Confronting Obama on 2008 Campaign Trail
Samuel Wurzelbacher, known as "Joe the Plumber" during the 2008 presidential campaign, has passed away at the age of 49 due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Wurzelbacher gained fame when he questioned Barack Obama about small business taxes during a televised encounter. He became a symbol for Republicans and conservative commentators, but his popularity waned after it was revealed that he was not a licensed plumber and owed back taxes. He later ran for Congress but was unsuccessful.