A ward-heeler is a political operative who operates at the local or neighborhood level, working to recruit voters and promote the agenda of the political party or faction they represent. Synonyms for ward-heeler include political boss, machine politician, precinct captain, and fixer. These terms all refer to individuals who use their influence and connections in a given community to advance their own political interests, often through illicit or unethical means. While ward-heelers can sometimes help to galvanize communities and promote important causes, they can also be problematic if they engage in voter suppression, fraud, or other illegal activities to get ahead.