The phrase "a prominent candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is well-known or highly regarded in a particular context, such as an election or competition.
Example: "In the upcoming election, Jane Doe is considered a prominent candidate due to her extensive experience and community support."
Alternatives: "a leading candidate" or "a notable candidate."
Republicans are still searching for a prominent candidate.
Top city Republicans, who still lack a prominent candidate for City Hall, are salivating over the prospect.
John Hostettler, a former representative in southern Indiana, also is a prominent candidate in a five-way field.
Opposition Leader in Egypt Denounces Trial Ayman Nour, a prominent candidate in the presidential election this fall, with co-defendants at court in Cairo yesterday.
"Religion is unifying, it's effective and it's the tool you have to use to motivate people," said Fadhil al-Ghalabi, a prominent candidate for the alliance.
Asked what might happen should Jones become a prominent candidate for the award, Stoops quickly mentioned Sam Bradford's successful campaign in 2008.
However Messrs Bhattarai and Dahal are strong rivals, which might make a less prominent candidate preferable to either.
The clash came in the context of Mr. Rouhani's effort to defeat a more prominent candidate, Saeed Jalili, Iran's current nuclear negotiator, who has made his hardline stance a centerpiece of his campaign.
It was not until the ninth ballot that the Democrats turned their sights to James K. Polk, a less prominent candidate who supported annexation.
Today, as President Barack Obama almost certainly will pick a woman to replace Justice David Souter, who is retiring, there are a dozen prominent candidates from whom to choose.
At the same time, another prominent candidate, César Acuña, a wealthy businessman, also was prohibited from running because he distributed money to voters during the campaign.
