The union, which prosecutors say has been under the control of elements of the Chicago mob, has never countenanced opposition to its hand-picked candidates.

He was elected Cook County State's Attorney in 1980, running as an outsider against the hand-picked Democratic candidate.

However, a week after filing his nomination papers Dion announced that he had hand-picked a candidate for the riding.

But losing it stung the Democrats nonetheless after they spent millions to support a hand-picked candidate whose compelling personal story drew national and international attention.

In practice, party leaders stage-manage the conventions to ensure that their hand-picked candidates are nominated.

Hager carried the stigma of being the hand-picked candidate of Governor Beckham, who had largely ignored the violence during his administration.

Peynado was Trujillo's hand-picked candidate in the elections held in 1938.

And we have a hand-picked candidate for the new chief when we need one.

Though he hand-picked prospective candidates, Mitre avoided the appearance of direct support for any one figure, while limiting the field to those he considered acceptable.

Mr. Sharon essentially hand-picked the candidates before his incapacitating stroke in January 2005, and the party lacks detailed rules.