ward heeler
Machine politics operative
A ward heeler is a low-level political operative who works a neighborhood on behalf of a party or candidate—knocking on doors, turning out voters, distributing favors.
The term is usually disparaging, suggesting someone who does the grubby work of machine politics: The ward heelers delivered votes in exchange for city jobs.
Heeler evokes a dog at its master's heel.
Patronage-based party structure
- bossWorkplace superior
- Tammany HallInfamous Democratic political machine
- spoils systemAwarding posts to supporters
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
graft · kickbacks · corruption · cronyism · nepotism · influence peddling · quid pro quo · backroom deals
Administrative jurisdiction zone
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- door-to-doorDirectly between residences
- voter turnoutShare of eligible citizens voting
- ballotVoting document
polling · get-out-the-vote · stumping · leafletting · flyers · petition · campaigning · primary
Administrative jurisdiction zone
- aldermanElected municipal legislator
- city councilLocal legislative assembly
- districtBounded administrative area
- constituentsParts of a whole
councilman · municipality · town hall · zoning · ordinance · mayor · supervisor · city hall
Arrangement tool or person
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
- activistVigorous cause champion
- communityCollective of connected people
- neighborhoodResidential area nearby
door-to-door · supporter · civic · engagement · coalition · mobilization · outreach · town hall
Loyalty to one faction
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- stalwartUnwavering loyal supporter
- loyalistFaithful supporter of authority
- diehardStubbornly committed supporter
party faithful · rank and file · regular · devotion · steadfastness · fidelity · solidarity · adherence
political machine
Patronage-based party structure
- bossWorkplace superior
- Tammany HallInfamous Democratic political machine
- spoils systemAwarding posts to supporters
patronage · graft · kickbacks · corruption · cronyism · nepotism · influence peddling · quid pro quo · backroom deals · vote buying
precinct
Administrative jurisdiction zone
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- door-to-doorDirectly between residences
- voter turnoutShare of eligible citizens voting
ballot · polling · get-out-the-vote · stumping · leafletting · flyers · petition · campaigning · primary · caucus
precinct
Administrative jurisdiction zone
- aldermanElected municipal legislator
- city councilLocal legislative assembly
- districtBounded administrative area
constituents · councilman · municipality · town hall · zoning · ordinance · mayor · supervisor · city hall · borough
organizer
Arrangement tool or person
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
- activistVigorous cause champion
- communityCollective of connected people
neighborhood · door-to-door · supporter · civic · engagement · coalition · mobilization · outreach · town hall · constituents
partisanship
Loyalty to one faction
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- stalwartUnwavering loyal supporter
- loyalistFaithful supporter of authority
diehard · party faithful · rank and file · regular · devotion · steadfastness · fidelity · solidarity · adherence · straight ticket
- politicospolitician, legislator, lawmaker, senator, congressman
- party politicspolitical party, party, parties, party member, party system
- patronagepolitical patronage, patrons, benefactors, sponsors, donors
- political operativescampaign manager, strategist, political consultant, campaign aide, political advisor
ward heelerpolitical boss
Unofficial party power broker
party boss · kingmaker · party leader · boss · power broker
ward heelerreformer
Agent of institutional improvement
goo-goo · muckraker · idealist · statesman · public servant