Definition

A politician who bucked party orthodoxy and votes unpredictably, either from principle or attention-seeking depending on your perspective. They're either courageously independent or annoyingly unreliable, sometimes both simultaneously.

Example Usage

The maverick senator voted against her own party's tax bill, giving a floor speech about fiscal responsibility that enraged leadership.

Origin

From Samuel Maverick, 1800s Texas rancher who didn't brand his cattle; political use emerged in early 20th century

Fun Fact

John McCain branded himself 'the maverick' so effectively that when Sarah Palin used it excessively in 2008, he reportedly said he'd come to 'hate that word.'

Source: Legislative behavior terminology

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pocket veto

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plenary session

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krystal ball

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See “maverick” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

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