Former Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman dies aged 82 after ‘complications from fall’

Joe Lieberman has died aged 82 after “complications from a fall” his family have said in a statement.

The death of the former US Senator and Democratic Party vice presidential nominee for the 2000 election was announced on Wednesday evening.

Lieberman’s funeral is reportedly set for Friday in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut.

A statement for his death read: “His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him when he passed.

“Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest.”

Lieberman was featured on the presidential ticket with Al Gore but the election was instead won by Republican George W Bush.

When he was selected, Lieberman became the first Jewish running mate to represent a major party in a general election.

Despite winning the popular vote, Gore-Lieberman lost the Electoral College after the US Supreme Court ruled to end a recount effort in Florida which separated Bush from Gore by less than 1,000 votes.

Mourning the US politician, Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut said the state was “shocked” by Lieberman’s sudden death.

“In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one,” Murphy wrote on X.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, also of Connecticut, referred to Lieberman as a longtime friend of more than 50 years and expressed his condolences in a statement on Twitter.

Blumenthal said Lieberman was “a man of deep conscience [and] conviction, [and] a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together”.

Former US ambassador to Israel David M Friedman added: “Shocked and saddened by the passing of my dear friend, mentor and former law partner, Joe Lieberman.

“Joe set the standard for observant Jews to serve our nation in a principled and dignified manner.

“I learned so much from him and was so proud that he sponsored my Ambassadorial nomination at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“I know of no American political figure who displayed greater moral clarity in his leadership.

“Tammy and I will miss Joe terribly and we send our love and condolences from Jerusalem to Hadassah and the entire family.”

Speaking to GB News about Lieberman’s death, Dr Arthur B. Laffer, who was a classmate of the former Vice Presidental candidate, said: “From the time as my Yale classmate through today, Joe Leiberman is one of the finest men I have ever known.

“Joe was an exceptional leader, who transcended partisan politics. This is a big loss for the world.”