standard-bearer

[ stan-derd-bair-er ]

/ ˈstæn dərdˌbɛər ər /

an officer or soldier of an army or military unit who bears a standard.

a conspicuous leader of a movement, political party, or the like.

Origin of standard-bearer

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

stand·ard-bear·er·ship, noun

This is the profile of someone who can make it through the primaries and emerge as a standard-bearer for the party.

Goodbye Chris Christie, and Hello Scott Walker |Jamelle Bouie |January 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Again the standard-bearer was Thurmond, who campaigned hard for the conservative icon.

The Republican Party’s Race Problem and Strom Thurmond’s Legacy |Jordan Michael Smith |September 22, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
The Republican standard-bearer could transform the race during the debates.

GOP Civil War Is Coming as Mitt Romney Campaign Flails in Video’s Wake |Robert Shrum |September 18, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
There have been other conventions that fell dutifully into line behind the standard-bearer without an excess of affection.

Mitt Romney, Distant Presence at the Republican Convention |Howard Kurtz |August 29, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

He has been cast as the standard-bearer for the economic oligarchs, the apologist for the top 1% of the top 1%.

David's Book Club: Unintended Consequences |David Frum |July 3, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
"Haven't the slightest idea," murmured the standard-bearer of the Democratic party, hopelessly.

The Booming of Acre Hill |John Kendrick Bangs
According to a family tradition, Adam de Blencowe was standard-bearer to the Baron.

The Curiosities of Heraldry |Mark Antony Lower
I am, in a certain sense, made the standard-bearer in behalf of the Republicans.

The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Three |Abraham Lincoln
When all cuckolds shall be at a general rendezvous, thou shouldst be their standard-bearer.

Gargantua and Pantagruel, Complete. |Francois Rabelais
Fouch as the republican standard-bearer had already avowed himself against the principle and practice of heredity.

The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte |William Milligan Sloane

standard-bearer

an officer or man who carries a standard

a leader of a cause or party