political boss
Behind-the-scenes power
A political boss is a powerful figure who controls a political party or machine, typically at the city or state level, through patronage, favors, and strategic alliances rather than elected office.
The boss dispenses jobs, contracts, and services in exchange for loyalty and votes: Tammany Hall's political bosses dominated New York City politics for decades.
The term usually carries connotations of corruption and backroom dealing.
- kingpinCriminal organization's leader
- party machineOrganized political power structure
- machinePower-driven working device
- wardProtected person; division
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
corruption · Tammany · smoke-filled room · backroom · back room deal · power · influence · pull strings · crony · old boy network · fixer · wheeler-dealer · graft · palm greasing · quid pro quo · precinct · votes · get out the vote
- party leadersparty leader, party chair, party chief, party secretary, general secretary
- power brokerspowerbroker, kingpin, kingmakers, puppeteer, kingmaker
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- politicianspoliticians, Joe Biden, congressman, Nancy Pelosi, senator
- orchestratorsorchestrator, mastermind, coordinator, organizer, arranger
political bossconstituent
Member of electoral district
grassroots activist · private citizen · disenfranchised voter
political bossreformer
Agent of institutional improvement
goo-goo · muckraker · statesman · mugwump · public servant
political, politics, politic, politicize, politicized, politicization, politician, politically, policy