captive candidate
noun1
Government, Politics Derogatory A political candidate who is under the control or influence of another person.
- Fortunately — very fortunately — the American people have a happy alternative to this bankrupt Republican campaign and its captive candidate.1952, Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, page 807:
- I want to start with an immediate and firm disclaimer. Walter Mondale is not a captive candidate of the “special-interest bosses of labor.”1983, ILR Report, volumes 21-22, page 21: