Passings: Sen. Joe Lieberman, who was passed over by McCain as 2008 running mate in favor of Alaska’s Gov. Sarah Palin

Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, founding chairman of the No Labels Party, has died. His death was stated as a result of a fall he took in New York City Wednesday afternoon. He was 82.

The family issued a statement: “Former United States Senator Joseph I. Lieberman died this afternoon, March 27, 2024, in New York City due to complications from a fall. He was 82 years old. His beloved wife, Hadassah, and members of his family were with him as he passed. Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest.”

Lieberman was Democrat Sen. Al Gore’s running mate in the 2000 presidential election; they came close, but lost to Republican George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Four years later, Lieberman sought the Democratic nomination for president, but it went to Sen. John Kerry and John Edwards, who lost to incumbent President Bush.

Lieberman became an independent — unaligned with any party — in 2006.

In 2008, Sen. John McCain, a Republican, considered choosing still-independent Lieberman as his running mate, but was convinced by fellow Republicans, that this would create party discord, since Lieberman was still closely aligned with Democrats. Although Lieberman and McCain were close friends, McCain, at the behest of campaign adviser Steve Schmidt, instead chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

No Labels was founded on December 13, 2010, with the slogan “Not Left. Not Right. Forward.” By 2023, it was pushing to find a candidate to run under its banner and Lieberman was one of the leaders of the movement. As of March 27, 2024, it had not yet identified that candidate for president, but had gained ballot access in over a dozen states, including Alaska.

As of three weeks ago, Lieberman was still the spokesman and founding chairman of the new centrist effort.

Lieberman’s funeral will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Congregation Agudath Sholom in his hometown of Stamford, CT. An additional memorial service will be announced at a later date.