frontrunner

/ ˈfrʌntˌrʌnə /

noun

1. informal.
   the leader or a favoured contestant in a race, election, etc

Example Sentences

His political career had seemed over, but he announced another run for president and quickly became the Republican Party frontrunner.

From BBC

In Florida, Governor DeSantis, the distant second-place finisher in that 2021 presidential straw poll, won a surprising double-digit re-election victory, fuelling speculation that he might be the real frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

From BBC

Over the campaign, Jenrick gave more interviews and made more speeches than Badenoch - but she was widely considered the frontrunner with more to lose.

From BBC

Cleverly had been the frontrunner in the race to replace Rishi Sunak but was knocked out in a surprise vote by MPs at the start of October.

From BBC

The BBC reported earlier this month that Gauke was the frontrunner to lead the review.

From BBC