running mate
Other forms: running mates
A running mate is someone who runs for office as part of a pair of candidates. U.S. presidential candidates choose a vice presidential running mate to join them on the ticket.
If you run for student council president, you might get to pick a running mate, someone to be on your team. Usually the term running mate is used for the person in the subordinate position; the person running for president is the candidate, and the person vying for VP is her running mate. You can also use it to refer to the pair, though: "The running mates travel together and seem to get along well."
Definitions of running mate
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a nominee for the lesser of two closely related political offices
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type of:
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campaigner, candidate, nominee
a politician who is running for public office
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campaigner, candidate, nominee
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