At the quadrennial American national political party conventions, a state delegation sometimes nominates a presidential candidate from the state—or less often from the state's region— who is not a viable candidate in the view of other delegations, and votes for this candidate in the initial ballot. The technique allows state leaders to negotiate with leading candidates in exchange for the delegation's support in subsequent ballots. The nominated individual is known as a
favorite son or
favorite daughter. The terms are also used for politicians whose electoral appeal derives from their native state, rather than their political views; for example, in the United States, a presidential candidate
will usually win the support of their home
state(s). Serious candidates usually, but not always, avoided campaigning in favorite sons' states. If a party's leader in a state—usually the governor—was unsure of whom to support, supporting the favorite son could allow the state party to avoid disputes. Conversely, a party leader who has chosen a candidate might become a favorite son to keep other candidates' campaigns out of the state, or prevent a rival local politician from becoming a favorite son. The favorite son may explicitly state that the candidacy is not viable, or that the favorite son is not a candidate at all. The favorite son may hope to receive the vice-presidential nomination,
Cabinet post or other job, increase support for the favorite son's region or policies, or just the publicity from being nominated at the convention. == History ==