Coattail effect

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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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