Star candidate


A star candidate refers to a high-profile individual who has been recruited as a candidate by a political party. Star candidates have usually excelled in fields outside politics such as academia, business, the media, journalism and/or sports. They are also either retired high-profile politicians who have been lured back into politics or a big-city mayor or provincial premier/state governor who has been convinced to enter federal politics, or former politicians that have been lured to run at another level to attain high-profile positions at that level.

Canada (federal-level)

2019 federal election

Liberal">Liberal Party of Canada">Liberal

In the 2004 Canadian federal election, the media used the term "star candidate" frequently because Liberal leader Paul Martin changed the nomination process to allow him to handpick his preferred candidates.
Star candidates in past elections include:
The following individuals have been touted as "star candidates" in provincial elections.

Alberta

Star candidates are often touted as such at all levels except when running for the offices of President or Vice President. At a congressional level they are often big-city mayors or high-profile state politicians that have been lured by their supporters within the party to run at that level. They can also be people who excelled in business, the media, academics or sports.

House

As with Canada, they are also either retired high-profile politicians who have been lured back into politics or a city-level politician who has been convinced to enter state politics. Or former politicians that have been lured to run at state level to attain high-profile positions at that level

California