favorite son
State's presidential nominee
A favorite son is someone celebrated by their hometown or region as a source of pride—a local hero.
In American politics, the term specifically describes a candidate nominated for president by their home state's delegation, often as a placeholder or bargaining chip rather than a serious national contender: The governor ran as a favorite son to control his state's delegates.
The phrase sometimes carries a hint of provincial loyalty over broader merit.
Person seeking selection
- nomineeOne proposed for position
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
- primaryChief in importance
caucus · endorsement · campaign · constituency · incumbent · home state · dark horse · native son
Favored person destined for success
- darlingBeloved person or pet
- preferredChosen above alternatives
- belovedOne who is treasured
- adoredIntensely cherished
prized · cherished · heir · firstborn · prodigal · doted · indulged · pampered
Originating from a place
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
- communityCollective of connected people
- alumnusMale former student
- local legendPerson famed nearby only
born and raised · townsfolk · celebrated · homecoming · renowned · distinguished · civic pride · local boy
One receiving guidance
- apprenticeLearner bound to employer
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- heir apparentUnassailable next in line
successor · trainee · pupil · handpicked · groomed · rising star · promising · up-and-comer
candidate
Person seeking selection
- nomineeOne proposed for position
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
primary · caucus · endorsement · campaign · constituency · incumbent · home state · dark horse · native son · kingmaker
golden boy
Favored person destined for success
adored · prized · cherished · heir · firstborn · prodigal · doted · indulged · pampered · apple of one's eye
native
Originating from a place
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
- communityCollective of connected people
- alumnusMale former student
local legend · born and raised · townsfolk · celebrated · homecoming · renowned · distinguished · civic pride · local boy · small-town
mentee
One receiving guidance
- apprenticeLearner bound to employer
- discipleCommitted follower of teaching
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
heir apparent · successor · trainee · pupil · handpicked · groomed · rising star · promising · up-and-comer · junior partner
- conventionsconvention, conventions, delegates, conference, attendee
- political jargonfilibuster, gerrymandering, caucus, pork barrel, lame duck
- parentinggentle parenting, child, mom, children, kids
- standingsrankings, leaderboard, league table, ladder, seeding
- Nominationsnomination, nominee, candidate, nomination process, nomination speech
- frontrunnersforerunner, leader, front runner, pacesetter, number one
favorite soncarpetbagger
Exploitative political outsider
dark horse · national figure · front-runner · stalking horse
favorite sonblack sheep
Disreputable family member
outcast · scapegoat · prodigal son · persona non grata · pariah
favorite, favour, favor, favored, favoured, favoring, favouring, favorable, favourable