The coattail effect is the tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the
same party in an election. For example, in the United States, 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.
This theory is prevalent at all levels of government. A popular statewide candidate for governor or senator can attract
support for down ballot races of their party as well. The term of voting a straight ticket can also be used. Following the
2004 elections, Republicans picked up
seats in Congress and in other lower offices because of the coattails of George W.
Bush.
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