Crossword Genius

Announced race led surprisingly by Democrat (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

declared

'announced' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'race led surprisingly by democrat' is the wordplay.
'surprisingly' is an anagram indicator (a surprising ordering of the letters).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'democrat' becomes 'd'.
'race'+'led'='raceled'
'raceled' with letters rearranged gives 'declare'.
'declare'+'d'='DECLARED'

(Other definitions for declared that I've seen before include "Closed an innings" , "Announced formally" , "Spoke or said dramatically" , "Announced, proclaimed" , "Avowed openly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian and The Sun.
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