favorite (top choice) for the championship (favourite); best bet for the title
proposed site; site chosen
most likely contender; prime candidate; top prospect; leading candidate
major contender; strong (leading) candidate; front runner
rival candidate; opposing candidate
vice-presidential candidate; running mate
conversion candidate (in an input method editor)
party appointee in a safe constituency; (lit.) parachute candidate
ever unsuccessful candidate; persistent candidate
candidate fielded by a political party to oust an incumbent of the same party
candidate fielded by a political party to oust an incumbent of the same party
(pharmaceutical) candidate compound
Ground Officer Candidate School