kingmaker
/ˈkɪŋmeɪkə
/noun
A person who brings leaders to power through the exercise of political influence: the political leaders are attended by kingmakers and fixers...
- He is seen as a potential kingmaker and wields considerable power already in managing parliamentary business and pulling MSP levers on its committees.
- Brown & Root has long been a kingmaker in Texas politics.
- In recent years, the man who was once beaten down by a firestorm of criticism has transformed himself into a political kingmaker and a celebrity icon.
Origin
Used originally with reference to the Earl of Warwick (see Warwick, Richard Neville).