Former U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), who was Democratic Party’s nominee for vice president in 2000, passed away on Wednesday. He was 82 years old.
His family said in a statement that he died “due to complications from a fall.”
“His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed,” the statement continued. “Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest.”
The family said that his funeral will be held this Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut.
Lieberman was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988 after serving as a Connecticut state senator for a decade and the state’s attorney general for six years.
Lieberman was known for having an independent streak as a politician and was not afraid to buck his own party, including going from being Al Gore’s running mate in 2000 to backing former Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for president in 2008 in a speech at the Republican National Convention.
“What, after all, is a Democrat like me doing at a Republican convention like this?” he asked the crowd at the convention. “Well, I’ll tell you what: I’m here to support John McCain because country matters more than party. I am here tonight for a simple reason. John McCain is the best choice to bring our country together and lead America forward.”
The New York Times noted that Lieberman was the first major national Democrat to condemn President Bill Clinton for his affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Lieberman was widely praised on social media across the political spectrum following the news of his passing.
“Connecticut is shocked by Senator Lieberman’s sudden passing,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). “In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored. My thoughts are with Hadassah and the entire family.”
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Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) posted on X: “Just heard of my dear friend Joe Lieberman’s passing. As I am just now leaving Israel, so many emotions. This is devastatingly sad. I feel fortunate to have been in his presence, traveling the world in support of America’s interests as we saw it. To Hadassah, I know your heart is broken, but please understand your legion of friends love you dearly. To the Lieberman family, we will be with you through this journey. I look forward to sharing more thoughts about this wonderful man and the incredible life he lived. The good news, he is in the hands of the loving God. The bad news, John McCain is giving him an earful about how screwed up things are. Rest in peace, my dear friend. From the Last Amigo.”