Joe Lieberman, Former US Senator and Vice Presidential Nominee, Dies at 82

Former Senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman has died at the age of 82.

Lieberman's family on Wednesday said he succumbed to complications from a fall, according to The Washington Post. In 2000, Lieberman was the first Jewish candidate to appear on the presidential ticket of a major U.S. political party, when he ran alongside former Vice President Al Gore.

In more recent years, Lieberman played a key role in promoting No Labels, an organization dedicated to promoting centrist politics. He left the Democratic Party to become an independent in 2006 and retired from the Senate in January 2013.

The Context

Lieberman began his 24-year tenure as a U.S. senator for Connecticut in 1989, having served as the Constitution State's attorney general and a state senator during the previous two decades.

He became a prominent national figure after being chosen by Gore as the vice presidential nominee in 2000. Gore and Lieberman would go on to win the popular vote but lose the election to former President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney after the U.S. Supreme Court controversially halted a recount effort in Florida.

Following his vice presidential bid, Lieberman's politics slowly drifted to the right, eventually resulting in him losing the 2006 Democratic Senate primary election in Connecticut. He then launched a successful campaign as an independent, proceeding to serve one last term in the chamber.

By the time former President Donald Trump's term began in 2017, Lieberman was reportedly being considered for a role in Trump's Cabinet. Lieberman later expressed his distaste for Trump during an interview in The Atlantic, saying last year that he would prefer President Joe Biden over the ex-president.

However, Lieberman also became a founding chairman of No Labels following his career in the Senate and had recently been involved with the group's effort to choose a "bipartisan unity" candidate to challenge Biden and Trump in November's election.

What We Know

"Former United States Senator Joseph I. Lieberman died this afternoon, March 27, 2024, in New York City due to complications from a fall," Lieberman's family said in a statement released through the former senator's longtime aide Dan Gerstein. "He was 82 years old."

"His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him when he passed," the statement continues. "Senator Lieberman's love of God, his family and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest."

No further details about Lieberman's death, or the apparent fall that preceded it, were available at the time of publication. He had appeared in an interview for Bloomberg Television as recently as last week, when he said that No Labels was planning to announce a presidential ticket "in the next couple of weeks."

Views

In a statement emailed to Newsweek, Gore said that he was "profoundly saddened by" Lieberman's loss, praising his former running mate as "a man of deep integrity" with a "devout faith and dedication to his family."

"My heart goes out to Hadassah, Hana, Matt, Rebecca, Ethan, his sisters, and all those grieving his loss," Gore said. "Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with."

"It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail," the former vice president added. "I'll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America."

Connecticut's two incumbent U.S. senators, both Democrats, paid tribute to Lieberman on Wednesday in posts to X, formerly Twitter.

"Joe Lieberman was my friend for over 50 years," Senator Richard Blumenthal posted. "On world & national stages, he helped to define & frame an era of history. He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience & conviction, & a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together."

"Connecticut is shocked by Senator Lieberman's sudden passing," posted Senator Chris Murphy, who replaced Lieberman in 2013. "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."

Several Republican senators also reacted to the news with praise for their former colleague.

"Joe Lieberman was a dear friend, a wonderful Senator, and a true patriot," posted Senator Susan Collins of Maine. "He not only was one of the best legislators I have ever known, but also one of the best human beings."

"Just heard of my dear friend Joe Lieberman's passing," Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina posted. "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," he added. "To the Lieberman family, we will be with you through this journey... Rest in peace, my dear friend. From the Last Amigo."

What's Next

Lieberman's private funeral is scheduled to take place on Friday at Congregation Agudath Sholom in the former senator's hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. His family said that details of an additional memorial service would be announced at a later date.

Update 03/27/24, 8:21 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include a statement from Gore.