Joe Lieberman, the former Connecticut senator and Al Gores Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000, has died.
His family said in a statement that he died due to complications from a fall.
Lieberman was the first and so far only Jewish person to be selected for a major party ticket.
Joe LiebermanGetty Images
Gore would concede shortly afterward.
The election, controversy and aftermath was depicted in the Emmy-winning 2008 HBO telefilmRecount,directed by Jay Roach.
He remained registered with the party during the campaign, and continued to caucus with the party.
He also introduced legislation that would lead to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
By that time, Lieberman had become somewhat of an outcast in his own party.
In 2008, he spoke at the Republican National Convention and endorsed the partys presidential nomineeJohn McCain.
McCain wanted to pick Lieberman, his close friend, as his running mate that year.
But McCain ultimately was convinced not to under threat of a party revolt over Liebermans support for abortion rights.
McCain instead chose Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor, only to lose the November election.
The bad news, John McCain is giving him an earful about how screwed up things are.
Lieberman left the Senate in 2013.
He also worked hard to repeal Dont Ask Dont Tell and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act.
He also was on the panel for a late-1999 episode of Bill Mahers ABC showPolitically Incorrect.
And doing things Joes way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first.
I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman.
First and foremost, he was a man of devout faith and dedication to his family.
