In thepolitics of theUnited States of America, aboss is a person who controls a faction or local branch of apolitical party. They do not necessarily hold public office themselves; most historical bosses did not, at least during the times of their greatest influence. Numerous officeholders in that unit are subordinate to the single boss in party affairs. Bosses may base their power on the support of numerous voters, usually organized voting blocs, and manage a coalition of these blocs and various other stakeholders. When the party wins, they typically control appointments in their unit, and have a voice at the higher levels.
Reformers typically allege that political bosses arecorrupt. This corruption is usually tied topatronage: the exchange of jobs, lucrative contracts and other political favors for votes, campaign contributions and sometimes outrightbribes.
The appearance of bosses has been common since theRoman Republic and remains fairly common today. InSpanish America,Brazil,Spain, andPortugal political bosses calledcaciques hold power in many places,[1] while inItaly they are often referred to asras.[2] Bosses were a major part of the political landscape during the 19th and early 20th centuries in theUnited States, such as thepolitical machines ofTammany Hall inNew York City and theChoctaw Club inNew Orleans, which controlled financing of campaigns and influence via owing of favors to arrange patronage public appointments.
In theSouthern United States, charismaticpopulist politicians likeHuey Long commanded large networks of supporters. Similar practices existed in the northern cities, particularlyNew York City, whereBoss Tweed (arguably the most infamous political boss) wielded control over the powerfulDemocratic political machine. InDenver, Colorado, during the 1890sJefferson Randolph "Soapy" Smith operated as the Republican party boss and political fixer.
Charles Brayton exercised great influence over the politics of turn of the 20th centuryRhode Island.[3] He exemplified rural bossism within theRepublican Party.Chicago had numerous colorful bosses, such as DemocratsHinky Dink andBathhouse John, andPat Marcy.[4] Chicago's Republican counterparts includedBig Bill Thompson, who became mayor in the 1920s.[5] One of Chicago's most iconic figures was longtime mayor and chairman of the Cook County Democratic CommitteeRichard J. Daley,[6] who had a major voice in state and national Democratic politics. With a few exceptions in the Southwest, such as Phoenix, most large cities of 100,000 or more in the early 20th century had machine organizations, and usually claimed one or more local bosses, most of whom were Democrats. Some had a major impact and hold on state politics, such asE. H. Crump inMemphis, Tennessee.[7] A few bosses had reputations as reformers, such asFrank Hague ofJersey City.[8]
Political bosses exist today.Politico in 2019 described insurance executiveGeorge Norcross as New Jersey's "most powerful unelected official", with "nearly uncontested control ofSouth Jersey'sDemocratic machine".[9]An October 2020 article inThe Bulwark argued thatDonald Trump's appeal to white working-class voters in the2016 United States presidential election was driven by the same kind of paternalistic and localist mentality that was exploited by the Democratic political bosses of the early 20th century.[10] An April 2022New York Times article portrayed him as a modern party boss duringhis post-presidency.[11]
BossJim W. Gettys, portrayed byRay Collins, is a secondary character inCitizen Kane and Charles Foster Kane's political rival for the post of Governor of New York.
The television seriesThe Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985) featured a character namedBoss Hogg, played bySorrell Booke.
Boss Tweed was portrayed byPhilip Bosco in the 1986TV movieLiberty, and byJim Broadbent as a major supporting character in the 2002 filmGangs of New York.[12] Tweed is portrayed as a defender of the rights of minorities and helper of those in need inPete Hamill's 2003 novelForever.
TheHBO television seriesBoardwalk Empire (2010–2014) focuses onEnoch "Nucky" Thompson (based on the historicalEnoch L. Johnson), a fictional Republican Party boss and gangster who controlsAtlantic City, New Jersey during theProhibition period (1920–1933).
