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The term “Speaker Emerita” is a title bestowed on a former Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States who has left the …

“Spin Alley” is the place designated after a political debate where reporters interview analysts and campaign operatives who attempt to “spin” the news coverage of …

A split ticket is when a voter chooses candidates from different political parties in the same election.

This practice reflects an individual’s willingness to evaluate …

A “spoiler” is a candidate who has no chance of winning, but whose candidacy still impacts the outcome of the election.

A spoiler candidate …

The “spoils system” describes when a candidate wins election and then rewards campaign staffers and fundraisers by appointing them to prized jobs in the administration.…

The term “squish” is often used as a pejorative to describe a politician, typically within the context of their own party, who is perceived as …

A “stalking horse” is a candidate put forward in an election to conceal an anonymous person’s potential candidacy.

If the idea of the campaign proves …

A “steamroller” is someone who brings something about by means of brute political might.

A politician might be said to steamroll the opposition, or even …

A “stemwinder” is a rousing political speech that galvanizes a crowd to take action.

It’s a speech that is able to capture the attention and …

Straight ticket voting allows voters to choose every candidate on a single party’s slate by making just one ballot mark.

Over the years, many states …

The term “strange bedfellows” describes politicians with seemingly opposing ideologies or interests who form an alliance for a specific political objective.

Origin of “Strange Bedfellows”

Strategery is a fictional word coined by comedy writer Jim Downey in a now famous Saturday Night Live sketch written to lampoon former president George …

A “straw donor” is an individual who illegally uses another person’s money to make a political contribution in their own name.

This practice is considered …

A “straw man” refers to an intentionally misrepresented proposition or argument that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent’s real …

A “straw poll” refers to an informal or unofficial vote conducted to gauge the popularity of candidates running for office, or to measure the opinion …

A stump speech is a speech that a politician makes again and again as they travel to different places during a campaign.

The speech might …

A supermajority refers to a requirement for a higher percentage of votes than a simple majority to approve a decision, measure, or action within a …

A “surrogate” refers to an individual who publicly speaks on behalf of a candidate or elected official, typically to promote, defend, or explain their positions …

When it’s time to leave a race for public office, candidates often announce their “suspended campaign” instead of actually dropping out.

Practically speaking, there is …

“Swiftboating” refers to the use of dishonest or misleading tactics to attack or smear the reputation or character of a political opponent.

The …