The phrase "as a frontrunner for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone or something that is leading or has a strong chance of success in a competition or selection process.
Example: "She is considered as a frontrunner for the award due to her outstanding performance this year."
Alternatives: "leading candidate for" or "top contender for".
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) has arisen as a frontrunner for efficient genome engineering.
Ford CEO Alan Mulally was once seen as a frontrunner for the Microsoft job.
Just 24 hours ago Lou Ye was being tipped as a frontrunner for this year's Palme d'Or.
It is widely seen as a frontrunner for next month's Oscars and also has 11 nominations at the Baftas.
Clinton, who is seen as a frontrunner for the 2016 US presidential election, said at Chatham House in London: "This is a very important question.
Hazanavicius, meanwhile, is odds-on to take the best director Oscar, with The Artist also confirming itself as a frontrunner for best picture.
As recently as last week, Goldman was considered a frontrunner for Industrial & Commercial's share sale, partly because it led a group that invested $3.78 billion in the Beijing-based company.
If Rose is right, that makes Candelabra a frontrunner for two major trophies, as the smart money is on Michael Douglas to walk away with the best actor prize.
Faced with the prospect of Gingrich taking a second successive primary and emerging as a legitimate frontrunner for the nomination, the Party elders and their media allies staged a rebellion that appears to have succeeded.
Christie, who until the scandal erupted last week had been seen as a potential frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, made his second profuse apology in five days as he addressed the state assembly in Trenton.
Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire enters the contest as a slight frontrunner for the best drama award, ahead of Revolutionary Road, The Reader, Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
