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Meanings of ward-heeler in English

A politician who belongs to a small clique that controls a political party for private rather than public ends.

Usage of ward-heeler in English
1
A ward-heeler cadging votes for a Milwaukee alderman never wheedled more gingerly.
The Ivory Trail
2
It is bad to elevate the mind of the average ward-heeler?
The Fourth "R"
3
And Blount knew the disappearance was real, because the ward-heeler's own henchmen were searching for him.
The Honorable Senator Sage-Brush
4
A very good sample was the notorious Yankee Sullivan, an ex-prize-fighter, ward-heeler, ballot-box stuffer, and shoulder-striker.
The Forty-Niners: A Chronicle of the California Trail and El Dor...
5
If you tried to vote some ward-heeler would challenge you and you'd like as not be hauled off to the lock-up.
Bunker Bean
6
A choice haul was made of the lesser lights of the ward-heelers and chief politicians.
The Forty-Niners: A Chronicle of the California Trail and El Dor...
7
We were swaggering about like ward-heelers, when on the afternoon of the 5th the unexpected again happened.
The Outlet
8
He cries aloud in the market-place, and rogues and ward-heelers, and evil-minded politicians, group themselves around him.
The Warriors
9
"They've got my number," said the ward-heeler, in a convict whisper which was little more than a facial contortion.
The Honorable Senator Sage-Brush
10
"Under the guise of studying me and my machine," he said, "you've been using it to train speakers, and to educate ward-heelers.
The Fourth "R"