candidate
noun
ˈkændɪdət 
ˈkændɪdət ˈkændɪdeɪt ˈkændɪdeɪt 
1 candidate (for something) a person who is trying to be elected or is applying for a jobone of the leading candidates for the presidencya presidential candidate (British English) He stood as a candidate in the local elections.There were a large number of candidates for the job.The party intends to field a candidate in the next general election.2 (British English) a person taking an examCandidates are allowed to use dictionaries in this examination.a candidate for the degree of MPhil3 candidate (for something) a person or group that is considered suitable for something or that is likely to get something or to be somethingOur team is a prime candidate for relegation this year.Your father is an obvious candidate for a heart attack.
Usage note: Voting in electionsRunning for electionconduct/hold an election/a referendum(especially North American English) run for office/election/governor/mayor/president/the White House(especially British English) stand for election/office/Parliament/the Labour Party/a second termhold/call/contest a general/national electionlaunch/run a presidential election campaignsupport/back a candidatesway/convince/persuade voters/the electorateappeal to/attract/woo/target (North American English) swing voters/(British English) floating votersfix/rig/steal an election/the voteVotinggo to/be turned away from (especially British English) a polling station/(North American English) a polling placecast a/your vote/ballot (for somebody)vote for the Conservative candidate/the Democratic partymark/spoil your ballot papercount (British English) the postal votes/(especially North American English) the absentee ballotsgo to/be defeated at the ballot boxget/win/receive/lose votesget/win (60% of) the popular/black/Hispanic/Latino/Muslim votewin the election/(in the US) the primaries/a seat in Parliament/a majority/powerlose an election/the vote/your majority/your seatwin/come to power in a landslide (victory) (= with many more votes than any other party)elect/re-elect somebody (as) mayor/president/an MP/senator/congressman/congresswomanTaking powerbe sworn into office/in as presidenttake/administer (in the US) the oath of officeswear/take (in the UK) an/the oath of allegiancegive/deliver (in the US) the president's inaugural addresstake/enter/hold/leave officeappoint somebody (as) ambassador/governor/judge/ministerform a government/a cabinetserve two terms as prime minister/in office more collocations at economy, politics