A ward heeler variously describes a politician or political worker in the United States who is in politics for private gain rather than public service, who does illegal acts on behalf of a political party, or who is a low level political operative soliciting votes and doing chores for a political boss. A ward heeler may control a small clique in the ward organization of a political party or be a party worker. In modern usage the term has lost some of the negative connotations.
Ward heelers were a feature of Tammany Hall corrupt politics in the 19th century.
Illegal acts which a ward heeler might do include tearing down an opposition party's posters.[1]