Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) died on Wednesday. In 2000, the long-time senator became the first Jewish American to become a vice presidential nominee. Complications associated with a fall contributed to his unexpected death. He was 82.
CNN’s Jake Tapper shared a statement from the Lieberman family: “Former United States Senator Joseph I. Lieberman died this afternoon, March 27, 2024, in New York City due to complications from a fall.”
The family’s statement commended Lieberman’s faith and noted there would be two memorial services — the first on March 29 at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Connecticut.
Statement from the family of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman
NEW YORK, NY — The family of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman issued the following statement today:
"Former United States Senator Joseph I. Lieberman died this afternoon, March 27, 2024, in New York City due to complications…
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 27, 2024
After serving as vice president for two terms, Al Gore ran for president, became his party’s nominee and chose Lieberman as his running mate; they became lifelong friends. The Gore-Lieberman ticket lost to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in one of the closest elections in history.
Gore spoke fondly of Lieberman this week, calling him “a man of devout faith and dedication to his family.”
Gore added: “It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. I’ll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America.”
During an interview on CBS, political analyst Joel Payne noted: “Senator Lieberman was a fixture in Washington [but] created some distance between himself and the party” after aligning with Republican positions on the Middle East.
Time reported the senator lost his party’s nomination in 2006 but won the next three elections as an independent. He retired in 2013.
The outlet also noted Lieberman’s exceptional ability to reconcile with former political foes, including Ned Lamont, who ran a contentious campaign against Lieberman in 2006.
In a condolence statement expressed late Wednesday, Lamont said of Lieberman: “While the senator and I had our political differences, he was a man of integrity and conviction … When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed.”
Former state party chair Nick Balletto also spoke fondly of Lieberman: “He was the most genuine, honest, straightforward politician you’d probably ever meet. What you saw is what you got. His issues were the issues of the people … He didn’t move because it was where the wind wanted to be today. He stayed strong in what he believed in his heart and his mind.”
The Western Journal reported that Lieberman is survived by his wife, Hadassah, and three adult children.
