[2][4] His grandfather, Josef Mioduszewski[4] (anglicized to Joseph Francis Miedusiewski), migrated to the United States from Poland in 1909, and operated several small businesses, including American Joe's Tavern, in Baltimore.

[3] Miedusiewski changed his name to American Joe before running for the Maryland House of Delegates in 1974, so that voters would associate him with his grandfather's tavern.

[6] In the Maryland General Assembly, Miedusiewski gained a reputation for keeping a low profile and having a pro-labor and pro-business voting record.

[7] Miedusiewski rose to national prominence after then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton played pool at American Joe's Tavern while campaigning in Baltimore in 1992.

[5] He sought support from moderate-to-conservative Democrats and ran on a platform including economic issues, reducing government, and increased policing and sentencing.