Political Appointee

A political appointee is an individual chosen by a government official, such as the president or a governor, to fill a specific position, often in the executive branch. These appointments are typically made to lead agencies, departments, or serve on boards, and are often based on political loyalty or expertise related to the administration's goals. Unlike career civil servants, who are hired based on merit and remain regardless of changes in leadership, political appointees usually serve at the pleasure of the appointing official and may change when a new administration takes over.