frontrunner

/ ˈfrʌntˌrʌnə /

noun

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

Example Sentences

Thomas Sadoski should be the frontrunner to play every smarmy privileged thirty-something from now on.

From The Daily Beast

Rounds is still the frontrunner and has led in every poll so far.

From The Daily Beast

A Republican frontrunner for 2016 wants to work with dictators to stop the Islamic State.

From The Daily Beast

The younger Paul is an early frontrunner for the Republican nomination, although he has not yet announced his candidacy.

From The Daily Beast

Paul has secured his status as the early frontrunner for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

From The Daily Beast