Candidate

a person who seeks an office, honor, etc.:
a candidate for governor.
a person who is selected by others as a contestant for an office, honor, etc.
a person who is deserving of or seems destined for a certain end or fate:
Such a reckless spender is a candidate for the poorhouse.
a student studying for a degree:
Candidates for the B.A. will have to meet certain minimum requirements.
to become a candidate for service as a new minister of a church; preach before a congregation that is seeking a new minister.
Contemporary Examples

I Just Can’t Hate John Edwards Eric Alterman January 20, 2010
GOP’s Debate Theater September 22, 2011
The GOP’s New Kingmaker Patricia Murphy September 8, 2011
Republican Candidates’ Baby Boom Jill Lawrence June 18, 2011
5 Alternatives to Obama and Romney in the Presidential Race Ben Jacobs May 16, 2012

Historical Examples

The Life, Public Services and Select Speeches of Rutherford B. Hayes James Quay Howard
Viviette William J. Locke
Mr. Crewe’s Career, Complete Winston Churchill
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete Emile Zola
The Man Who Rose Again Joseph Hocking

noun
a person seeking or nominated for election to a position of authority or honour or selection for a job, promotion, etc
a person taking an examination or test
a person or thing regarded as suitable or likely for a particular fate or position: this wine is a candidate for his cellar
n.