coattails effect
Noun: 1. (Politics) The phenomenon in which a popular or strong candidate in an election helps other candidates from the same political party to get elected by attracting additional votes. The success of the leading candidate is said to provide a boost or a "ride" for the others.
The term is used almost exclusively in political contexts to describe electoral dynamics. It refers to the indirect benefit lesser-known candidates receive from the popularity of a top-of-the-ticket candidate.
- The senator's landslide victory created a significant coattails effect, allowing three new candidates from her party to win seats in the state legislature.
- Analysts debated whether the presidential candidate had a long enough coattails effect to help his party regain control of Congress.
- The mayor won by a huge margin, but there was little coattails effect for other city council candidates from his party.
- "To ride on someone's coattails": This related idiom means to benefit from the success or popularity of another person, often without contributing much oneself. While the "coattails effect" is the broader phenomenon, this phrase describes the action of the individual candidate.
- The inexperienced candidate hoped to ride on the governor's coattails to win the election.
- Coattail (noun, often used attributively): The figurative part of a coat that others "hold onto" for support. Used in phrases like "coattail candidate" or "coattail victory."
- He was a coattail candidate who benefited from the president's popularity.
- Down-ballot boost: A more modern, descriptive term for a similar effect, emphasizing help for candidates listed lower on the ballot.
- Electoral spillover: A technical term describing the transfer of voter support from one candidate to others on the same ticket.
The "coattails effect" is a specific political metaphor. It does not refer to general popularity or influence in non-electoral contexts (e.g., in business or entertainment). Its strength is often measured by comparing the performance of the top candidate to the performance of other party candidates in the same districts.
- (politics) the consequence of one popular candidate in an election drawing votes for other members of the same political party
- he counted on the coattails effect to win him the election