The phrase "patronage appointees" refers to people who are chosen and given important positions or jobs by someone in power, often as a form of political favor. Full definition
Sadly, in recent years the state payroll has been glutted with patronage appointees, noncompetitive political hacks who could never pass an entrance exam or survive a competitive interview process. (timesunion.com)
A takeover by the mayor would provide a way to maintain a link to the electorate while allowing the state to replace political patronage appointees with a more independent board. (educationnext.org)
But observers of local elections have complained about similar problems from the bipartisan patronage appointees on the board for years, even if local races garner less attention. (briankavanagh.org)