"Joe the Plumber" to face Rep. Kaptur in Ohio race
AP Photo/Tony Dejak
Samuel Wurzelbacher, who became known as "Joe the Plumber" during the 2008 presidential campaign, launched his first foray into professional politics in a newly redesigned district void of any Republican incumbent. The new northeastern Ohio district, which now spans from Cleveland to Toledo, is heavily Democratic and poses a challenge for the vocal and outspoken figure of the right.
Wurzelbacher ascended into the limelight in 2008 after he was videotaped asking then-candidate Barack Obama a question about potential taxes imposed on him for opening a small plumbing business. Then-Senator Obama's response included a statement he wanted to "spread the wealth," which became a lightning rod for the right, and Republican candidates John McCain and Sarah Palin began calling Wurzelbacher "Joe the Plumber" as a symbol of Republican opposition to Obama's economic policies.
In his first race for elected office, Wurzelbacher had more money and big-name supporters, including former presidential candidate Herman Cain, than his challenger. Despite the advantage, he narrowly beat real estate agent Steve Kraus.
He will face Kaptur, the 15-term congresswoman who is among the longest-serving members in the House, who handily beat liberal icon Dennis Kucinich in Tuesday's primary. Ohio's redistricting plan put the two incumbents up against each other in what became a bitter and personal race.
Kaptur's seniority translates to power in Congress. She is next in line to be the top Democrat of the influential House Appropriations committee, which holds the federal government's purse strings, after top Democrat Norm Dicks of Washington announced his retirement.
In his election night victory party, Wurzelbacher promised a clean campaign.
"Bottom line, I won't run a character assassination type campaign. As an American I am tired and disgusted of seeing those kinds of ads going on radio or TV and I won't practice in it. If anyone comes out on my side and tries to practice it, I will denounce it. I am going to run on facts."
Popular in Politics
- Romney condemns "breach of trust" in Washington 171 Comments
- Officials on Benghazi: "We made mistakes, but without malice" 350 Comments
- IRS targeting overlooked biggest soft money groups 66 Comments
- For GOP, scandals could be an electoral plus - or minus 327 Comments
- Republicans use IRS scandal to tar Obamacare 36 Comments
- Ousted IRS chief: "I did not mislead" the American people
- Why Obama should worry that current scandals might impact 2016
- Immigration deal reached in House
It seems like they're willing to turn their congressional races into the same kind of clown show.
As for J. Walsh I know him personally and did not vote for him because he is a bigot, liar and he made a fortune and yes lied that he paid his child support - NOT. If he did, his wife would not take him to court because he would have proof of paying unless he paid in cash. Yes, he lost his house, rents one in McHenry so he could run and get to be a mouth piece for the so called saviors of our Country. During parade he was boooed.
As old saying says. If cow mooo too much, doesn't produce much milk, too busy moooing. Usually if farmer doesn't get want he suppose to get from his animals he sells them.
You r candidate is uneducated (soon as he opens his mouth you can tell. You can take a man out of the hoood but you can't take the hoood out of him. Ohionians not too smart anyway, look whom they voted for a Governor. It will get worse. Just sit and watch and pary no more tornadoe's and you don't get hit. Ron Paul is not going to help you either, he said so.