noun
official candidate
Refers to a candidate who has been officially endorsed or recognized by a party, organization, or authority, especially in elections.
彼は党の公認候補として選挙に立候補した。
He ran in the election as the party's official candidate.
候補 is a general term for a candidate or nominee, while 公認候補 specifically means an officially endorsed candidate.
Compound of 公認 (official recognition) + 候補 (candidate).