political rival
Competing party candidate
A political rival is a competitor for the same elected office, party leadership, or political influence.
The term emphasizes opposition within the political arena rather than personal enmity, though the two often overlap: She defeated her political rival in a bruising primary.
Political rivals may belong to the same party or opposing ones.
- opponentOne who contends against
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- foeHostile opponent
enemy · contender · candidate · campaign · negative campaign · election · debate · mudslinging · smear · smear campaign · attack · dirty tricks · incumbent · opposition · partisan · party line · faction · backstabbing
- political oppositionopposition party, opposition leader, minority party, minority leader, loyal opposition
- rivalsopponent, adversary, competitor, foe, enemy
political rivalally
Supportive partner
coalition partner · running mate · teammate · comrade · endorser
political, rival, politic, politics, politically, politician, politicize, politicized, politicization