An elected official is a person who has been chosen by the public to hold a position of power within the government. Some possible synonyms for this term include representative, lawmaker, politician, and legislator. Each of these synonyms conveys a slightly different nuance of meaning. For instance, a representative is someone who speaks on behalf of a constituency, while a lawmaker is someone who writes or enforces laws. A politician is someone who engages in political activities, such as campaigning or making public statements, while a legislator is someone who serves in a legislative body, such as a parliament or a congress. Ultimately, the term "elected official" encompasses all of these roles and more, serving as a catch-all phrase for anyone who has been democratically chosen to hold a position of public leadership.