coattail effect

Cultural  

1. The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election. For example, the party of a victorious presidential candidate will often win many seats in Congress as well; these congressmen are voted into office “on the coattails” of the president.

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Example Sentences

During a presidential election year, members of Congress often experience the coattail effect, which gives members of a popular presidential candidate’s party an increase in popularity and raises their odds of retaining office.

From Textbooks • Jul. 28, 2021

But Henin never inspired a coattail effect at the junior level.

From New York Times • Aug. 24, 2014

“If there was a big coattail effect, that would mean that the people who drew the districts didn't do very good jobs.”

From Slate • Sep. 26, 2012

But it's easy to overstate the coattail effect, as Susan Collins demonstrated in 2008, when she easily beat a strong Democratic challenger even as Barack Obama comfortably won Maine.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2011

"The coattail effect this year, the potential for a Reagan victory, is something I have to factor in."

From Time Magazine Archive