Former Senator Joseph Lieberman, the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee of a major party, has passed away at the age of 82. His family confirmed that he died in New York City due to complications from a fall, with his wife Hadassah and other family members by his side.
Lieberman rose to national prominence when he was selected as the running mate for Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore in the 2000 election. Despite the eventual loss in a contentious election decided by the Supreme Court, Lieberman’s nomination marked a historic breakthrough for Jewish Americans.
Throughout his political career, Lieberman demonstrated a commitment to bipartisanship, though his views occasionally diverged from the Democratic Party’s mainstream. He notably supported the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, a position that put him at odds with many fellow Democrats.
In the years following his vice-presidential run, Lieberman’s political evolution continued, leading him to become an independent after losing the Democratic primary for his Senate seat in 2006. He later won re-election to the Senate as an independent candidate.
Lieberman’s willingness to break from party lines garnered both praise and criticism, particularly when he publicly criticized President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. However, his selection as Gore’s running mate was seen as a signal of the Democratic Party’s commitment to integrity and accountability.
In addition to his political career, Lieberman was known for his observance of his Orthodox Jewish faith, often declining to work on Shabbat. He was also a founding chairman of the No Labels Group, advocating for bipartisan cooperation in government.
In recent years, Lieberman remained active in politics, expressing concerns about the direction of the country under former President Donald Trump. He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and fostering bipartisan solutions to national challenges.