Like a old west novel.

The rich and powerful man comes to town. He promises the ordinary town folk a wonderful future if they elect him mayor. They believe him and he becomes mayor. The mayor then replaces the town council with out side people and family. Gets ride of the sheriff and judge and replaces them with his hand picked people. He tries to discredit the newspaper. He makes new rules and regulations.
This remind you of any one? At this point the person of strength and resolve arrives to save the day. I guess it takes some time for that person to arrive.