Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, a prominent Connecticut congressman and 2000 Democratic vice presidential candidate, died Wednesday in New York at the age of 82.

Lieberman, who served as a member of the House of Lords from 1989 to 2013, died of complications from a fall, his family said.

“His beloved wife Hadassah and family were by his side at the time of his death,” the statement said.

“Senator Lieberman’s love for God, his family and America continued throughout his life of service to the public good.”

Lieberman was Gore’s running mate in the 2000 election. He was the first Jewish candidate for a major American political party.

Lieberman has taken different positions from his fellow Democrats on several issues, most notably his support for the Iraq war. He served his final term as an independent in 2006.

His funeral is scheduled for Friday at Aguda Sholom Congregation in his hometown of Stamford, with a memorial service expected to take place later.

He supports gay rights, civil rights and environmental causes.

In 2000, he came close to becoming vice president, but George W. Bush narrowly won in Florida. Lieberman will become the first Jewish vice president. He later tried to run for president in 2004 but dropped out.

He became independent and nearly joined John McCain as his running mate in 2008. McCain was a friend and shared similar views on the war. McCain originally wanted to choose Lieberman, but later changed his mind because many Republicans disliked Lieberman’s liberal views. McCain chose Sarah Palin.

He was also the first Democrat to criticize President Bill Clinton in 1998 for having an affair with a White House intern. He caused a stir when he rebuked Clinton for her behavior in the Monica Lewinsky scandal. But he later voted against impeaching Clinton.

Lieberman was one of the first to say after the 9/11 attacks that Iraq’s leader should be removed.

He grew up in Connecticut, attended Yale University, and later became a lawyer. Lieberman and his wife Hadassah have four children.

After leaving the Senate, he worked at a law firm in New York City.