whistle-stopper

applicant aspirant bidder competitor contender contestant nominee successor

claimant entrant hopeful petitioner possibility pothunter runner seeker stumper suitor write-in

dark horse favorite son handshaker job-hunter office seeker possible choice solicitant

congressperson lawmaker leader legislator member of Congress officeholder president representative senator

orator partisan speaker

Party member baby-kisser boss handshaker member of parliament office seeker public servant statesperson