Definition

Noun: 1. A United States politician who receives strong support primarily within their own home state: This term refers to a political candidate, typically at a national party convention, whose main base of support and nomination efforts come from their home state's delegation, rather than having broad national appeal.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The state's delegation proudly nominated their favorite son at the convention, hoping to gain influence.
  • He entered the race as a favorite son candidate, with little chance of winning the nomination but aiming to control his state's votes.
  • The strategy was to run as a favorite son to keep the state's delegates from supporting a rival candidate.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Figurative Use: While rooted in U.S. political history, the term can be used more broadly to describe any individual who is held in particularly high esteem or given special favor in their hometown, region, or organization.
  • The celebrated author returned to her hometown as a true favorite son, greeted with a parade.

Variants and Related Words

• Favorite daughter: A less common but analogous term for a female politician favored in her home state.

Synonyms

• Home-state candidate
• Regional candidate

Related Idioms

• To run as a favorite son: To enter a political contest primarily as a representative of one's home state rather than as a serious national contender.
  • He decided to run as a favorite son to ensure his state's concerns were heard at the convention.

Noun

1. a United States politician favored mainly in his or her home state