Joe the Plumber

Early life and background

Wurzelbacher was born on December 3, 1973, in Toledo, Ohio, to Kay and Frank Wurzelbacher. The family moved to Florida when he was young, then returned to Toledo when he was in the middle of high school. After high school, Wurzelbacher enlisted in the United States Air Force, and chose plumbing (Air Force Specialty Code 3E451, or Utility Systems Specialist) as his area of training. He was stationed in Alaska and North Dakota. Wurzelbacher left the Air Force in 1996 and worked as a plumber's assistant, but then switched careers and started working for the telecommunications company Global Crossing.

2008 presidential election

Encounter with Barack Obama

On October 12, 2008, during a campaign break before the final presidential debate at Hofstra University, Obama visited a working-class neighborhood in Toledo, Ohio. Wurzelbacher watched as the candidate engaged residents in conversation. He made his way through the crowd to ask Obama about his tax plan. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's tax plan would be at odds with "the American dream". Wurzelbacher said, "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes 250 to 280 thousand dollars a year. Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?"

Obama responded with an explanation of how his tax plan would affect a small business in this bracket. Obama said, "If you're a small business, which you would qualify, first of all, you would get a 50 percent tax credit so you'd get a cut in taxes for your health care costs. So you would actually get a tax cut on that part. If your revenue is above 250, then from 250 down, your taxes are going to stay the same. It is true that, say for 250 up — from 250 to 300 or so, so for that additional amount, you'd go from 36 to 39 percent, which is what it was under Bill Clinton."

Obama also said, "It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too... My attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody. If you've got a plumbing business, you're gonna be better off [...] if you've got a whole bunch of customers who can afford to hire you, and right now everybody's so pinched that business is bad for everybody and I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

Presidential debate

Main article: 2008 United States presidential election debates

During the third and final Presidential debate on October 15, 2008, at Hofstra University, many references were made to "Joe the Plumber". In the debate, McCain repeatedly brought up "Joe the Plumber" and Obama and McCain then made statements aimed directly at Wurzelbacher. As a result, subsequent media attention was directed at Wurzelbacher.

After the debate, Wurzelbacher did not declare his vote for either candidate. He expressed concern that Obama's plans were "one step closer to socialism". Obama's running mate Joe Biden argued that 98% of small businesses take in less than $250,000 a year in income and thus wouldn't be subject to higher taxes under Obama's plan. McCain stated that Wurzelbacher would see higher taxes under Obama's plan.

2008 media appearances

Wurzelbacher spoke to Katie Couric of CBS Evening News on October 15, shortly after the conclusion of the final debate. Asked whether Obama's proposed $250,000 tax threshold would affect him, Wurzelbacher replied: "Not right now at presently, but [...] he's going to do that now for people who make $250,000 a year. When's he going to decide that $100,000 is too much? [...] You're on a slippery slope here. You vote on somebody who decides that $250,000 and you're rich? And $100,000 and you're rich? [...] Where does it end?" He also said: "I asked the question but I still got a tap dance...almost as good as Sammy Davis Jr."{{cite news |access-date = October 16, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081016233400/http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/10/16/politics/horserace/entry4525242.shtml |archive-date = October 16, 2008

Wurzelbacher held a press conference at his home on the morning of October 16, following the debates, where he refused to express support for either candidate. "I'm not telling anybody anything" about which candidate he preferred, he said, adding, "It's a private booth. I want the American people to vote for who they want to vote for."

On October 16, Wurzelbacher appeared on Your World with Neil Cavuto on Fox News. Neil Cavuto asked if Wurzelbacher was persuaded by Obama's plan. Wurzelbacher said that he was not and that he was more frightened upon hearing it. Wurzelbacher suggested that Obama's plan was socialist in nature.

The same day, Wurzelbacher also appeared on Good Morning America. In response to Diane Sawyer's question whether he was then taking home $250,000, Wurzelbacher said with a laugh "No, not even close."{{cite news |access-date = October 16, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081017221710/https://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=6047458 |archive-date = October 17, 2008

ABC News reported on October 16, 2008, that there was a judgment lien against Wurzelbacher for non-payment of $1,182 in owed Ohio state income taxes dating to January 2007, but "no action has been taken against him outside of filing the lien." Barb Losie, deputy clerk of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, said "there is a 99 percent chance [Wurzelbacher] doesn't know about the lien, unless he did a credit report or was ready to pay his taxes." While on Hannity & Colmes, Wurzelbacher stated that he was unaware of the tax lien prior to it being reported in the press. The taxes were paid on November 6.

On November 2, Wurzelbacher appeared again on Your World with Neil Cavuto, where he expressed concern that Barack Obama's tax plans would go down "a slippery slope" and eventually raise his taxes. Wurzelbacher also questioned Obama's patriotism, saying "there's too many questions with Barack Obama and his loyalty to our country."

References on the campaign trail

On October 18, McCain told a campaign rally in Melbourne, Florida, that he had phoned Wurzelbacher for the first time on October 17. McCain said, "He's a great guy, proud of his grandfather who served in the US Marine Corps. We're going to fight for Joe, my friends, we are going to fight for him. The question Joe asked about our economy is important, because Senator Obama's plan would raise taxes on small businesses that employ 16 million Americans. Senator Obama's plan will kill those jobs at just the time when we need to be creating more jobs. My plan will create jobs, and that's what America needs."

The McCain–Palin campaign's senior strategist, Steve Schmidt, said that McCain's strategy in the final weeks of the presidential campaign was based primarily on his differences with Obama on economic issues, which they would continue to highlight through the story of Joe the Plumber.

After the final presidential debate, McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin frequently repeated the charge in campaign speeches that "Joe the Plumber" would pay higher taxes under Obama and Biden's plan, although according to tax analysts neither Wurzelbacher nor the company he works for would actually be subject to higher taxes under Obama's tax plan. Obama's "spread the wealth around" quote was later used by the McCain campaign, comparing the Democratic policies to socialism. McCain said, "[Obama] wants government to take Joe's money and give it to somebody else." Obama said in a campaign rally on October 24 that McCain was "not fighting for Joe the Plumber. He's fighting for Joe the Hedge Fund Manager... He likes to talk about Joe the Plumber but he's in cahoots with Joe the CEO." Obama then promoted a plan for middle-class tax cuts and "asked for a show of hands at the rally in the Richmond Coliseum from those making less than $250,000. Nearly all of the 13,000 people raised their hands."

Aides to the McCain–Palin campaign said on October 24 that they would "spend heavily" on a new TV advertisement invoking Wurzelbacher's nickname. The advertisement would feature "several different people looking into the camera and saying, 'I'm Joe the Plumber.' One man accuses Obama of wanting to use the man's 'sweat to pay for his trillion dollars in new spending.

Joint appearances with John McCain

On October 30, Wurzelbacher made appearances with John McCain during Ohio campaign stops in Sandusky, Elyria, and Mentor, Ohio. In Sandusky, McCain accused the Obama campaign of attacking Wurzelbacher, and in Mentor, Wurzelbacher was allowed to address the crowd, saying, "Once you find out the facts, they become quite obvious," while pointing at McCain.

Earlier in the day, at a rally in Defiance, Ohio, McCain thought that Wurzelbacher was supposed to be in the crowd and called for him to stand up. When it became clear that he wasn't in attendance, McCain ended the silence by telling the whole crowd instead to stand up, stating, "You're all Joe the Plumber."

Plumbing credentials

Regarding his statement to Barack Obama about intending to buy the plumbing firm that employed him, Wurzelbacher later said that the idea of buying the company was discussed during his job interview six years prior. Court records show that Wurzelbacher made $40,000 in 2006.

As part of the background on McCain's use of "Joe the Plumber" during the 2008 campaign, several media outlets researched his professional plumbing credentials. One Toledo Blade article stated: "Mr. Wurzelbacher said he works under Al Newell's license, but according to Ohio building regulations, he must maintain his own license to do plumbing work. He is also not registered to operate as a plumber in Ohio, which means he's not a plumber." "Mr. Joseph [business manager of the local union] said Mr. Wurzelbacher could only legally work in the townships, but not in any municipality in Lucas County or elsewhere in the country."{{cite news |access-date = December 11, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081210034948/http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20081016%2FNEWS09%2F810160418%2F-1%2FNEWS |archive-date = December 10, 2008

Wurzelbacher was not a member of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (the national plumbers' union) and never served an apprenticeship.

Database search controversy

Main article: Controversial Ohio database searches of Joe Wurzelbacher

Prior to the 2008 election, an employee of Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), at the behest of its director, Helen Jones-Kelley, used state computers to search for information on Joe Wurzelbacher. On November 20, 2008, the employee reported the violation to the State Inspector General. State and local officials completed an investigation into Jones-Kelley's order, concluding that the searches were improper. On December 17, 2008, Jones-Kelley resigned.{{cite news |access-date = August 18, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140819145621/http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2008/12/18/story_kelley.html |archive-date = August 19, 2014

In response to the event, Republican Ohio state representative Shannon Jones sponsored House Bill 648, which mandates civil and criminal penalties for improper access of personal information in state databases. On January 6, 2009, Governor Ted Strickland signed the legislation,{{cite news |access-date = January 8, 2009 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090124192343/http://www.western-star.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/01/07/ddn010709joe.html |archive-date = January 24, 2009}} which became effective after 90 days.

On March 5, 2009, on behalf of Wurzelbacher, Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Columbus{{cite news |access-date = March 9, 2009 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100816125343/http://www.western-star.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/03/06/ddn030609joesuit.html |archive-date = August 16, 2010}} charging that Jones-Kelley and fellow ODJFS employees Fred Williams and Doug Thompson improperly searched "confidential state databases" in an attempt to retaliate against Wurzelbacher's criticism of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama. The lawsuit claimed "officials of the State of Ohio violated Mr. Wurzelbacher's constitutional rights", and "Wurzelbacher suffered emotional distress, harassment, and embarrassment as a result of the search." Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch, stated "no American should be investigated for simply asking a question of a public official."{{cite news |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130102085305/http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/05/ajoe.html?sid=101 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 2, 2013 |access-date = March 9, 2009 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100818194647/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/5/joe-the-plumber-loses-suit-over-file-snooping/ |archive-date = August 18, 2010

On October 14, 2009, the Columbus Dispatch reported that a former contractor for the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police had been charged with "rummaging" through state computers to retrieve confidential information about Wurzelbacher. The State Highway Patrol stated that the individual also used a law-enforcement computer network to access personal information about Wurzelbacher.{{cite news |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130102092000/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/10/14/plumber.html?sid=101 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 2, 2013 |access-date = December 19, 2009

Post-2008 career and activism

In 2008, Wurzelbacher signed with a publicity management agent regarding media relationships, including "a possible record deal with a major label, personal appearances, and corporate sponsorships."

In November 2008, Wurzelbacher was hired for a series of commercials reminding people to convert analog television to digital.{{cite news |access-date = January 21, 2025 |access-date = January 21, 2025 |access-date = December 27, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081229052728/http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/22/the-digital-tv-transition-confusion-reigns/ |archive-date = December 29, 2008

In November 2008, Wurzelbacher began promoting his book Joe the Plumber: Fighting for the American Dream.{{cite news |access-date = November 9, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130118092955/http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/11/joe_the_plumber_1.html |archive-date = January 18, 2013 |access-date = November 18, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090107215516/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2008/11/the-joe-the-plu.html |archive-date = January 7, 2009 |access-date = November 20, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130904043216/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/nov/19/obama-joe-the-plumber |archive-date = September 4, 2013 |access-date = November 20, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110320221916/http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/books/entries/2008/11/19/call_him_joe_the_plumber_with.html |archive-date = March 20, 2011 |access-date = November 20, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090425035118/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/arts/20arts-002.html?ref=arts |archive-date = April 25, 2009 |access-date = December 26, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081223022115/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/20/joe-plumber-pens-memoir/ |archive-date = December 23, 2008 Wurzelbacher criticized McCain as a candidate, saying that the election was "the lesser of two evils". On December 10, 2008, it was reported that Wurzelbacher also criticized McCain for voting for the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, also known as the bank bailout. On the issue of taxation, he did not consider himself to be a supporter of either party.

In January 2009, Wurzelbacher became a war correspondent for PJ Media. His first assignment involved visiting Israel for ten days during the Gaza War, with his reporting focusing on the Israeli experience of the conflict.

In May 2009, Time magazine reported that Wurzelbacher was quitting the Republican Party.

On June 25, 2009, Wurzelbacher spoke at an event called "Pints and Politics" in Wausau, Wisconsin. During his speech, Wurzelbacher questioned why Chris Dodd had not been "strung up" yet. He stated that the Founding Fathers "knew socialism doesn't work. They knew communism doesn't work."

On February 13, 2010, Wurzelbacher attended a political event for Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer. Speaking to a reporter afterwards, Wurzelbacher said "McCain was trying to use [him]", and accused McCain of having "really screwed [his] life up".

In Wisconsin, in February 2011, he spoke at a counter-demonstration during protests against Governor Scott Walker's attempts to abolish collective bargaining rights of some public employees. In 2012, Wurzelbacher started the news site "Joe For America".

In February 2014, Wurzelbacher took a job at a Jeep plant which required him to be a member of the United Auto Workers. He complained that his colleagues called him a "tea-bagger". The Washington Post, citing Sean McAlinden, who has studied the auto bailout as the Chief Economist for the non-profit Center for Automotive Research, commented that an "irony" is "that Joe the Plumber may not have gotten this auto job if it weren't for the hated bailout of the auto industry" which was "first championed by [George W.] Bush" but attacked by conservatives when implemented by Obama. McAliden is quoted saying "He wouldn't have gotten a job in Toledo if Chrysler hadn't been bailed out. Chrysler would have shut down immediately. No production; no jobs; no pension payments; no nothing." For his part, Joe indicated he had no problem with unions per se, stating "Private unions, such as the UAW, is a choice between employees and employers. If that is what they want, then who am I to say you can't have it?"

In an open letter to the parents of victims who died in the 2014 Isla Vista killings, Wurzelbacher wrote of his right to "protect my family": "As harsh as this sounds—your dead kids don't trump my Constitutional rights ... We still have the Right to Bear Arms ... Any feelings you have toward my rights being taken away from me, lose those."

Wurzelbacher voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

2012 congressional election

Draft movement

After his meeting with Barack Obama, a campaign to draft Wurzelbacher to run for the United States House of Representatives in the 2010 election started with the website joewurzelbacher2010.com.{{cite news |access-date = October 27, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081022173119/http://www.wsbt.com/news/election/presidentialnews/31217114.html |archive-date = October 22, 2008 |access-date = October 23, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081022071213/http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1126280&srvc=2008campnews&position=4 |archive-date = October 22, 2008}}{{cite news |access-date = October 23, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081021094208/http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/dinan/2008/Oct/17/joe-plumber-congress/ |archive-date = October 21, 2008}} although the possibility also existed for Kaptur to choose to run for the Senate seat being vacated by George Voinovich. The website was created by Trevor Lair (then-chairman of the Massachusetts College Republicans),{{cite news |access-date = October 24, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081020051419/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/17/campaign-to-%E2%80%98plunge-the-crap-out-of-washington%E2%80%99/ |archive-date = October 20, 2008 |access-date = October 23, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081208050658/http://www.toledofreepress.com/2008/10/19/web-site-urges-%E2%80%98joe-the-plumber%E2%80%99-to-run-for-congress/ |archive-date = December 8, 2008 and the Massachusetts Alliance of College Republicans.{{cite news |access-date = October 23, 2008 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130210005905/http://www.northwestohio.com/news/story.aspx?id=209809%23.URbwwX3LdVc |archive-date = February 10, 2013 |url-status = dead |access-date = October 27, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081019032837/http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2008/10/17/joe-for-congress/ |archive-date = October 19, 2008 |access-date = October 26, 2008 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081027113037/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/now-joe-the-plumber-wants-to-be-a-congressman_100111532.html |archive-date = October 27, 2008

Campaign

On October 7, 2011, Wurzelbacher filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to challenge Democratic representative Marcy Kaptur in the 2012 race for Ohio's 9th congressional seat.

In the March 6, 2012, primary, Wurzelbacher gained the nomination as the Republican candidate in the race, defeating challenger Steven Kraus. He ran in the November 2012 general election against Kaptur, who had won the Democratic primary against Dennis Kucinich after the two incumbents' respective Congressional districts were collapsed into one as a result of post-2010 Census redistricting by the state's Republican-controlled legislature. He lost the election, with Kaptur, who had been the heavy favorite, receiving over 70% of the vote.

In August 2012, Wurzelbacher drew criticism for a comment he made about illegal immigration. During a campaign rally for Arizona State Senator Lori Klein, Wurzelbacher said, "For years I've said, you know, put a damn fence on the border, going to Mexico and start shooting." When asked about the comment later, he said that he did not care about being "politically incorrect". Klein defended Wurzelbacher, telling reporters his comments were just a joke.

Views on gun rights

In June 2012, Wurzelbacher's election campaign released a video in which he said the implementation of gun control resulted in Europe's Jews being unable to defend themselves during the Holocaust, explaining, "In 1939, Germany established gun control. From 1939 to 1945, six million Jews and seven million others unable to defend themselves were exterminated." In the same video, Wurzelbacher stated that the implementation of gun control by the Ottoman Empire in 1911 resulted in Armenians being unable to defend themselves against the Armenian genocide.

The video drew sharp criticism from the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) and Ohio Democratic Party chairman Chris Redfern.

Wurzelbacher subsequently defended the video, stating "Different countries around the world have tried to disarm their citizens, and then have tried to exterminate their own now-unarmed citizens. If people are looking to be offended by this video, they are probably serving a political agenda. Unfortunately there are a lot of whiners out there." Wurzelbacher's spokesman, Phil Christofanelli, also defended the video, stating that Wurzelbacher was a "student of history" who knows that the Founding Fathers "understood that the Second Amendment was always the people's last defense against tyrannical government."

Personal life and death

Wurzelbacher was married twice. He had one child from his first marriage and three from his second, to Katie Schanen.

In 2022, Wurzelbacher was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He died at home in Campbellsport, Wisconsin, on August 27, 2023, at the age of 49.

References

References

1. (October 16, 2008). "Joe the Plumber Represents Hopes, Dreams and Political Football". Fox News.
2. (October 17, 2008). "Doubts raised on US 'plumber Joe'". BBC News.
3. Roberts, Sam. (August 29, 2023). "Samuel Wurzelbacher, a Symbol As 'Joe the Plumber,' Is Dead at 49". [[The New York Times]].
4. "Joe the Air Force Plumber".
5. Tapper, Jake. (October 12, 2008). "In Working-Class Ohio, Obama Meets Amorous Dogs, Skeptical Plumber". ABC News.
6. Vellequette, Larry. (October 16, 2008). "'Joe the plumber' isn't licensed". [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio).
7. Rohter, Larry. (October 15, 2008). "Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight". The New York Times.
8. Rohter, Larry. (October 16, 2008). "Real Deal on 'Joe the Plumber' Reveals New Slant". The New York Times.
9. (October 15, 2008). "ABC News video 'Joe the Plumber'".
10. Fouhy, Beth. (October 15, 2008). "McCain, Obama get tough, personal in final debate".
11. Tapper, Jake. (October 14, 2008). "'Spread the Wealth'?". ABC News.
12. Barrowclough, Anne. (June 2010}}{{cite news). "Joe the plumber is real hero of the debate". The Times.
13. Seewer, John. (October 16, 2008). "'Joe the Plumber' says he has no plumbing license".
14. Shales, Tom. (October 16, 2008). "Candidates Make A Name for This Guy Joe". The Washington Post.
15. Ibbitson, John. (October 16, 2008). "McCain invokes 'Joe the Plumber' to heap scorn on Obama". [[The Globe and Mail]].
16. Tharp, Bridget. (October 16, 2008). "'Joe the Plumber' is focus of presidential debate's first few minutes". [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio).
17. Sinderbrand, Rebecca. (October 16, 2008). "Biden questions 'notion of this guy Joe the plumber'". CNN.
18. Mehta, Seema. (October 16, 2008). "'Joe the Plumber' still a topic for McCain, Obama". [[Los Angeles Times]].
19. Ibanga, Imaeyan. (October 16, 2008). "America's Overnight Sensation Joe the Plumber Owes $1,200 in Taxes". [[ABC News (United States).
20. (October 20, 2008). "Joe the Plumber on "Hannity & Colmes"". [[RealClearPolitics]].
21. (November 7, 2008). "Joe the Plumber pays off back taxes in Ohio". [[Boston Herald]].
22. (November 2, 2008). "Joe the Plumber questions Obama's loyalty to America".
23. . (October 18, 2008). ["John McCain telephones 'Joe the Plumber'"](http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081018-167115/John-McCain-telephones-Joe-the-Plumber). *inquirer.net*.
24. Draper, Robert. (October 26, 2008). "The Making (and Remaking) of McCain".
25. Nagourney, Adam. (October 16, 2008). "Polls Cause Campaigns to Change Their Itineraries". The New York Times.
26. Drogin, Bob. (October 18, 2008). "John McCain compares Barack Obama's policies to socialism". [[Los Angeles Times]].
27. Miller, S.A.. (October 22, 2008). "Obama: McCain's for 'Joe the CEO'". [[The Washington Times]].
28. Abramowitz, Michael. (October 24, 2008). "As an Issue, Taxes Favor Obama: Polls Lean Toward Democrat on a Traditional GOP Strength". The Washington Post.
29. Troy, Tom. (October 30, 2008). "McCain finally shares stage with Joe the Plumber". [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio).
30. Shear, Michael. (October 31, 2008). "John McCain and Joe the Plumber, Together in Ohio". The Washington Post.
31. "John McCain In Sandusky Ohio".
32. (October 31, 2008). "McCain rallies in Mentor". [[The News-Herald (Ohio).
33. Weiner, Rachel. (October 30, 2008). "Joe The Plumber Ditches McCain (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post.
34. Troy, Tom. (December 20, 2008). "'Joe' pens memoir on his life, his dream". [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio).
35. Rohter, Larry. (October 16, 2008). "Joe in the Spotlight". The New York Times.
36. Ludlow, Randy. (October 29, 2008). "Checks on 'Joe' more extensive than first acknowledged | The Columbus Dispatch".
37. (November 20, 2008). "Report of Investigation". State of Ohio Office of the Inspector General.
38. Catherine Candisky. (December 5, 2008). "Worker says 'Joe the Plumber' cover-up was forced upon her". [[Columbus Dispatch]].
39. (January 7, 2009). "Legislative floor actions".
40. (March 5, 2009). "Judicial Watch Files Civil Rights Lawsuit on Behalf of 'Joe the Plumber'". [[MSNBC]].
41. (March 5, 2009). "Lawsuit filed in 'Joe the Plumber' records probe". [[The Associated Press]].
42. (March 27, 2012). "Wurzelbacher v. Jones-Kelly".
43. Ressner, Jeffrey. (October 29, 2008). "Joe the Plumber pursued for record deal".
44. (December 20, 2008). "'Joe' pens memoir on his life, his dream". [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio).
45. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081213063126/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5TGKzn-3WBjOSjUncMvsJmdxrIAD95003N81 Joe the Plumber:Appalled by McCain bailout support], Associated Press, December 10, 2008
46. Carey, Nick. (July 24, 2009). "Both U.S. political parties offend "Joe the Plumber"". Reuters.
47. Nasaw, Daniel. (January 7, 2009). "Joe The War Correspondent". The Guardian.
48. Teibel, Amy. (January 11, 2009). "Joe The Plumber Files First Reports From Israel On Gaza Crisis". Huffington Post.
49. Michael Grunwald. (May 7, 2009). "Republicans in Distress: Is the Party Over?".
50. Robert Mentzer. (June 26, 2009). "'Joe the Plumber' shares conservative views". Wausau Daily Herald.
51. Reals, Tucker. (February 15, 2009). ""Joe the Plumber" Bashes John McCain". CBS News.
52. Adams, Richard. (February 16, 2010). "Joe the Plumber dumps on John McCain and Sarah Palin". [[The Guardian.
53. (February 19, 2011). "Wisconsin budget cuts: Madison rally attracts thousands".
54. Celock, John. (October 4, 2012). "Joe The Plumber Launches 'Joe For America' Website".
55. Troy, Tom. (February 17, 2014). "'Joe the Plumber' says he's in UAW". [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio).
56. (February 18, 2014). "Joe the Plumber Gets a New Job". The Washington Post.
57. Wurzelbacher, Joe. (May 27, 2014). "An Open Letter: To the parents of the victims murdered by Elliot Rodger". BarbWire: "Politics and Culture / News and Opinion From a Decidedly Biblical Worldview".
58. Gittens, Hasani. (May 27, 2014). "'Joe the Plumber' Pens 'Harsh' Open Letter to Isla Vista Relatives". NBC News.
59. Lavender, Paige. (May 27, 2014). "Joe The Plumber: 'Your Dead Kids Don't Trump My Constitutional Rights' To Have Guns". The Huffington Post.
60. Isquith, Elias. (May 27, 2014). "Joe the Plumber to parents of Elliot Rodger's victims: "Your dead kids don't trump my Constitutional rights"". Salon.
61. (March 4, 2016). "'Joe the Plumber' praises Trump, cites his 'beautiful women'". [[Reuters]].
62. "Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) Urges Homeowners to Stay in Foreclosed Homes".
63. Pillifant, Reid. (October 10, 2011). "'Joe the Plumber' files for a congressional run". Capital New York.
64. "'Ohio's 'Joe the Plumber' gets GOP nod for Congress'". San Francisco Chronicle.
65. "Dennis Kucinich concedes defeat to Marcy Kaptur in Ohio Democratic primary". CBS News.
66. Noga, Joe. (November 7, 2012). "Marcy Kaptur coasts to win in 9th District congressional race". Sun News.
67. (August 14, 2012). "Joe the Plumber calls to 'start shooting' immigrants at the border".
68. Bingham, Amy. (August 13, 2012). "Joe The Plumber: 'Put A Damn Fence On The Border Going To Mexico And Start Shooting'". The Huffington Post.
69. Bingham, Amy. (August 14, 2012). "Joe the Plumber Unfiltered: Build a 'Damn Fence' and 'Start Shooting'". ABC News.
70. (June 19, 2012). "Jewish Dems slam candidate 'Joe the Plumber' for Holocaust remarks".
71. Montopoli, Brian. (June 19, 2012). ""Joe the Plumber" links gun control to Holocaust". CBS News.
72. Johnson, Luke. (June 19, 2012). "'Joe The Plumber' Claims Gun Control Caused The Holocaust". The Huffington Post.
73. Joseph, Cameron. (June 19, 2012). "'Joe the Plumber' campaign video blames Holocaust on gun control". [[The Hill (newspaper).
74. (June 20, 2012). "'Joe The Plumber' Links Holocaust With Gun Control". CBS Cleveland.
75. Ignazio Messina. (June 19, 2012). "Wurzelbacher video blames Holocaust on gun control". [[The Blade (Toledo, Ohio).
76. (July 28, 2023). "'I Started Crying': Joe the Plumber Gets Candid on Prayer, Faith as He Fights Cancer Diagnosis".
77. (August 27, 2023). "Joe Wurzelbacher, known as 'Joe the Plumber' in 2008 election, dies at 49". [[BNO News]].