Political Glossary

Following are some of the most common Spanish words used in discussion of politics. Many of these words are commonly seen on U.S.-based political Web sites. Some words, especially for descriptions of political movements and legislative bodies, may vary in other countries.

activist — el/la activista
ballot, ballot box — el voto, la urna (para votar)
caucus (in a legislative body) — la camarilla política
caucus (for picking delegates to a U.S. convention) — el caucus (plural, los caucus)
challenger — el retador
Congress — el Congreso
conservative — conservador
Democrat — el/la demócrata
election — la elección
Electoral College (of the United States) — el Colegio Electoral
endorse, endorsement — aprobar, respaldar, aprobación, respaldo
governor — gobernador
Green Party — el Partido Verde
House of Representatives — Cámara de los Representantes
incumbent — individuo en el cargo
left-wing, leftist — izquierda, izquierdista
legislature — legislatura
leader — el/la líder
liberal — liberal
libertarian — libertario
majority — mayoría
minority — minoría
parliament — parlamento
politics — la política
prime minister — primero ministro, primera ministra
party — partido
president — presidente
primary election — la elección primaria, la primaria
race (political contest) — la contienda
representative — el/la representante
Republican — el/la republicano/a
right-wing, right-winger — de derechas, el/la derechista
Senate — Senado
senator — el senador, la senadora
support — apoyar
socialist — socialista
vote — votar, el voto