Candidate

n.

1.

One who offers himself, or is put forward by others, as a suitable person or an aspirant or contestant for an office, privilege, or honor; as, a candidate for the office of governor; a candidate for holy orders; a candidate for scholastic honors.

Noun	1.	candidate - a politician who is running for public office Synonyms: campaigner, nominee
	2.	candidate - someone who is considered for something (for an office or prize or honor etc.) Synonyms: prospect

CANDIDATE. One who offers himself or is offered by others for an office.

addict, agent, also-ran, appointee, aspirer, assignee, baby kisser, bidder, campaigner, claimant, collector, coveter, dark horse, defeated candidate, deputy, desirer, devotee, dud, entrant, fancier, favorite son, freak, hankerer, has-been, hopeful, lame duck, licensee, lover, nominee, office seeker, petitioner, political hopeful, possibility, postulant, presidential timber, prospect, runner, running mate, seeker, selectee, solicitant, solicitor, stalking-horse, stumper, suitor, suppliant, supplicant, votary, wanter, whistle-stopper, wisher, yearner