Minority Leader

Definition

The leader of the party that didn't win, whose job is to coordinate opposition, file protests, and explain why their party's ideas are better—while having no actual power. Consolation prize.

Example Usage

The Minority Leader demanded a delay in the voting procedure.

Origin

Counterpart to Majority Leader, established in the 20th century

Fun Fact

Minority Leaders receive smaller staff budgets and fewer scheduling concessions than Majority Leaders

Source: Congressional leadership structure

Related Terms

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swing district

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majority

More than half of a group, or the magic threshold that makes things official in democratic decision-making. It's the winning side in votes, elections, and arguments at scale, proving that 51% of people agreeing makes something right (or at least legally binding). Also, the age when you become a legal adult and realize nobody actually knows what they're doing.

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challenger

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plenipotentiary

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Intermediate

primaries

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