Who typically makes the decisions on candidate nominations in a political machine?

In a political machine, the party boss plays a central role in making decisions regarding candidate nominations. A political machine is an organized group that influences the politics of a city or state, often through patronage and a strong network of loyalty among its members. The party boss, as a powerful figure within the machine, typically has significant control over the nomination process, often determining which candidates receive support and resources from the party. This means that candidate selection is usually less influenced by broader democratic input from voters and more by the decisions made behind the scenes by the party leadership.

In contrast, voters often have limited direct influence in such systems, as the party structure tends to prioritize the preferences of its leaders over public opinion. While the governor and the president may have their political affiliations and may influence politics at a higher level, they are not directly responsible for the nomination decisions made within local political machines. The dynamics of a political machine emphasize loyalty and connections over the democratic ideals of widespread participation in candidate selection.