'Joe the Plumber' eyes congressional race

TOLEDO, Ohio, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Ohio's "Joe the Plumber," who became a household name during the 2008 U.S. presidential election, is considering running for Congress, documents show.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher of Holland, Ohio, near Toledo, filed paperwork with Federal Election Commission indicating he's considering running as a Republican in Ohio's newly constituted 9th District.

He said he's assessing public interest in his possible candidacy and intends to announce his decision Oct. 25.

"One of the big reasons, if I do it, is to show the citizens of Ohio that someone can run and serve and maintain their integrity and principles," Wurzelbacher said. "People need to see there are people who can do that sort of thing and not promote their party over America. I see that over both sides of the fence all day long. The people that suffer are the American people."

Two incumbent Democrats, Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland and Marcy Kaptur of Toledo, are already vying for the 9th District seat in 2012.

Wurzelbacher doesn't live in the district but state law requires only congressional candidates live in Ohio, not in their district.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, then-candidate John McCain turned "Joe the Plumber" into a symbol of the working class after Wurzelbacher was videotaped questioning Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama about his small business tax policy during an Obama campaign stop in Ohio.

Wurzelbacher has published a book and appeared as a motivational speaker and commentator.