Jim McAllister (played by Matthew Broderick) is a protagonist in Election.
A U.S. history and civics teacher who manipulates the student council election by convincing an underdog to challenge Tracy Flick. He engages in an affair with Linda Novotny, sabotages Tracy's victory by discarding ballots, and faces severe professional and personal consequences, including forced resignation, divorce, and relocation to New York City. Paul Metzler (played by Chris Klein) appears in Election.
A popular but dimwitted high school football player sidelined by a skiing accident. Jim persuades him to run for student government president, giving him a renewed sense of purpose. He casts the tie-breaking vote in Tracy's favor but ultimately wins the rigged election. He later attends university and enjoys an active social life. Tammy Metzler (played by Jessica Campbell) appears in Election.
Paul's adopted younger sister who enacts revenge on Lisa by running for student government president and advocating to dissolve the council. She is expelled by Principal Hendricks after a disruptive speech. To save Tracy from expulsion over a poster incident, Tammy falsely confesses, losing her candidacy but gaining moral victory. Dave Novotny (played by Mark Harelik) appears in Election.
Jim's colleague and best friend, a geometry teacher who loses his job and marriage after an affair with Tracy Flick. His dismissal fuels Jim's resentment toward the lack of consequences for Tracy. Walt Hendricks (played by Phil Reeves) appears in Election.
The high school principal who maintains disciplinary order. He suspends Tammy Metzler after her disruptive assembly speech denouncing student government, later expelling her when she is removed from the ballot.
Election (1999) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Jim McAllister
(played by Matthew Broderick) — protagonist
A U.S. history and civics teacher who manipulates the student council election by convincing an underdog to challenge Tracy Flick. He engages in an affair with Linda Novotny, sabotages Tracy's victory...
Paul Metzler
(played by Chris Klein) — supporting
A popular but dimwitted high school football player sidelined by a skiing accident. Jim persuades him to run for student government president, giving him a renewed sense of purpose. He casts the tie-b...
Tammy Metzler
(played by Jessica Campbell) — supporting
Paul's adopted younger sister who enacts revenge on Lisa by running for student government president and advocating to dissolve the council. She is expelled by Principal Hendricks after a disruptive s...
Dave Novotny
(played by Mark Harelik) — supporting
Jim's colleague and best friend, a geometry teacher who loses his job and marriage after an affair with Tracy Flick. His dismissal fuels Jim's resentment toward the lack of consequences for Tracy.
Walt Hendricks
(played by Phil Reeves) — supporting
The high school principal who maintains disciplinary order. He suspends Tammy Metzler after her disruptive assembly speech denouncing student government, later expelling her when she is removed from t...
Key Relationships
Walt Hendricks → Tammy Metzler
(Conflict Disciplinary Authority)
Jim McAllister → Tammy Metzler
(Alliance Indirect Beneficiary)
Paul Metzler → Tammy Metzler
(Family Adopted Older Brother)
Jim McAllister → Walt Hendricks
(Professional Teacher)
Jim McAllister → Paul Metzler
(Professional Teacher)
Jim McAllister → Dave Novotny
(Professional Colleague)
Story Analysis
A high school teacher manipulates a student council election, triggering a chain of consequences that reshapes his life and the students' futures.
