major party

noun

a political party with enough electoral strength to periodically gain control of the government or to effectively oppose the party in power.

Origin of major party

First recorded in 1945–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Filler-Corn’s office said the short-year sessions have been extended by about two weeks for at least the past 50 years, under both major parties.
Northam calls for end to death penalty, addressing racial inequity as lawmakers return to Richmond | Gregory S. Schneider, Laura Vozzella | January 14, 2021 | Washington Post
The group was chosen from 62 nominees put forward by leaders from both major parties in the state Senate and House of Delegates.
Citizen members chosen for Virginia’s new bipartisan redistricting commission | Gregory S. Schneider | January 6, 2021 | Washington Post
Both of those parties were run over by left-wing and right-wing voters, returning to the major parties after being unsatisfied with their 2016 choices.
The Trailer: What we learned from the 2020 election, now that it's officially over | David Weigel | December 17, 2020 | Washington Post
We can enjoy the delicious irony that the 2024 contenders have now enabled the person who will block their presidential ambitions, but that is small consolation when so many members of a major party disavow reality and democracy.
The Republican Party has split in two. Let’s keep it that way. | Jennifer Rubin | November 23, 2020 | Washington Post
More registered Democrats voted early than Republicans, but one-third of the electorate is unaffiliated with either major party.
When will the remaining battleground states report their results? | Claire Zillman, reporter | November 4, 2020 | Fortune

And when BET Weekend came to Atlanta two months ago, Brinsley thought he could become a major party promoter.
Alleged Cop Killer’s Blood-Soaked Screenplay | M.L. Nestel | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The second-place major party candidate would get the remainder.
GOP States’ Hitlist: Abortion, Unions & Hillary | Nancy Kaffer | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Independents continue to poll higher than either major party.
How to Run a Statewide Campaign on $38 | Michael Ames | November 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In a watershed moment, Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman to appear on a major party ticket.
The Scathing Sexual Politics of ‘Ghostbusters’ | Andy Hoglund | June 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Rand Paul recognizes that he cannot win a major-party presidential nomination if he is perceived as tainted by racism.
What Rand Paul Should Have Done at Howard University | David Frum | April 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

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