running mate

noun

a candidate for an office linked with another and more important office, as for the vice-presidency.
a horse entered in a race in which another, more important, horse from the same stable, or belonging to the same owner, is run.
a close companion.

running mate

a candidate for the subordinate of two linked positions, esp a candidate for the vice-presidency
a horse that pairs another in a team

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Romney is coy at best about 2016, although his old running mate, Paul Ryan, wants him to run.

But the damage was done, and Ma Laureys was among those unseated by Christie and his running mate.

Needless to say, it would have been easier for Cuccinelli if John Doe had been his running mate.

These numbers are more surprising considering that Buono chose a Latina as her running mate, labor leader Milly Silva.

And he has chosen a rich and powerful former warlord from western Afghanistan, Ismael Khan, as his vice presidential running mate.

For the difficulties to be surmounted are doubled and the helps are halved by the presence of a running mate.

We must land Nick Carter and get him away from here before that running mate of his can make any move against us.

She was treated, accordingly, as some exquisite chorus-girl or cabaret-pony that he had selected as a running-mate.

Tell 'em I'm thinking over the choice of my running mate, but don't tell 'em I've made up my mind yet.

Old Forgan, the fireman, described the disgust and dejection of Fogg at having a new running mate.

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