running mate

noun

1. a candidate for an office linked with another and more important office, as for the vice-presidency.
2. a horse entered in a race in which another, more important, horse from the same stable, or belonging to the same owner, is run.
3. a close companion.

running mate

noun

1. a candidate for the subordinate of two linked positions, esp a candidate for the vice-presidency
2. a horse that pairs another in a team

Word History and Origins

Origin of running mate¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

His is a remarkable story of both development and perseverance, which is also the case for his longtime running mate.

From FiveThirtyEight

Bob Dole and John McCain similarly capitulated to conservative pressure by choosing pro-life running mates in 1996 and 2008, respectively.

From Washington Post

She reveals that she was rooting for Joe Lieberman to be the VP pick and she believes McCain would have been President had he not selected Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate.

From Time

He also had his own memorable run for president in 1984, making history by choosing Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate, creating the first presidential ticket from a major party that included a woman.

From Time

In an effort to inject life into his campaign, he selected New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferarro as his running mate, making her the first woman to appear on a major party’s presidential ticket.

From Time

Romney is coy at best about 2016, although his old running mate, Paul Ryan, wants him to run.

From The Daily Beast

But the damage was done, and Ma Laureys was among those unseated by Christie and his running mate.

From The Daily Beast

Needless to say, it would have been easier for Cuccinelli if John Doe had been his running mate.

From The Daily Beast

These numbers are more surprising considering that Buono chose a Latina as her running mate, labor leader Milly Silva.

From The Daily Beast

And he has chosen a rich and powerful former warlord from western Afghanistan, Ismael Khan, as his vice presidential running mate.

From The Daily Beast

For the difficulties to be surmounted are doubled and the helps are halved by the presence of a running mate.

From Project Gutenberg

We must land Nick Carter and get him away from here before that running mate of his can make any move against us.

From Project Gutenberg

She was treated, accordingly, as some exquisite chorus-girl or cabaret-pony that he had selected as a running-mate.

From Project Gutenberg

Tell 'em I'm thinking over the choice of my running mate, but don't tell 'em I've made up my mind yet.

From Project Gutenberg

Old Forgan, the fireman, described the disgust and dejection of Fogg at having a new running mate.

From Project Gutenberg