For the most part, these are contests of personal ambition, but a rejection of Representative Marge Roukema of New Jersey, the most senior Republican seeking the chairmanship of the Banking Committee, would be taken by many as a rejection of moderates and of women.
Mr Cable lost both his ministerial job and his seat in the Commons, and Mr Umunna, who was thought to have a good chance of being the next Labour leader, abruptly pulled out of the leadership contest for personal reasons.
In a personal contest of senior guards, Jaraan Cornell, the Boilermakers' streaky shooting guard, rarely escaped the shadow of Mike Kelley.
Before and after Cech's misfortune, there were countless moments when outfield players, caught up in a contest of supreme importance, disregarded personal safety to challenge for the ball.
Avoid turning the conversation into a personal contest of "you're wrong, I'm right".
Otherwise the England fly-half insists he will treat his All Black counterpart like any normal player, and he refuses to see their looming contest in Lyon as any kind of personal duel.
Nonetheless the voting card issued in Mexico by the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE now known as the aforementioned INE for casting ballots in subnational and federal contests is the most common form of personal identification in Mexico.
The criteria included an interview with judges, statement of personal philosophy, an evening gown competition and talent contest.
Even the commonplace activity of house hunting leading up to this was the subject of considerable media attention; coverage of personal lives would be the norm in this contest of two "electrifying and polarizing figures".
Lawyers acting for murder defendants do not expect to win many popularity contests, but nor, until recently, have they expected to be the subject of personal attacks by the press.
