favorite son

noun

, U.S. Politics.

1. (at a national political convention) a candidate nominated for office by delegates from the candidate's own state.

favorite son

noun

1. (in the US) a politician popular in his home state but little admired beyond it

favorite son

1. A political figure nominated for the presidency by his or her state's delegation to the national nominating convention of a major party. Favorite sons are rarely serious candidates for the party's nomination. By nominating a favorite son, the delegation honors its nominee while delaying its commitment until the more serious contenders for the nomination can be sorted out.

Word History and Origins

Origin of favorite son¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Idioms and Phrases

A person valued by his or her hometown or organization for his or her achievements, usually political, as in Mary hoped they would treat her as a favorite son and nominate her for state senator . This term was originally employed for a candidate nominated for office by his own locality. Today this usage may ignore gender, as in the example. [c. 1780]

Example Sentences

They’re going to take place in the family circle, which is evident when the paterfamilias starts listing the order of his favorite sons while they’re chowing down at the breakfast table.

From New York Times

"America needs closure. One of their favorite sons, me, has been cut down in the prime of his life at 17-years-old," Yang as Santos says.

From Salon

Yang added that Americans needed closure on these events because “one of their favorite sons, me, has been cut down in the prime of his life at 17 years old.”

From New York Times

Brady long ago cemented his place as the Patriots’ favorite son, even before he won the last of his six Super Bowl rings with the team after the 2018 season.

From Washington Times

Recent Senate history suggests that even favorite sons can be stung when loose ties to home become a campaign issue.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• applicant
• aspirant
• bidder
• competitor
• contender
• contestant
• nominee
• successor