Elder taking a time to replace Independent US politician (7)

I believe the answer is:

senator

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'us politician' is the definition.
(the US has a senate)

'elder taking a time' is the wordplay.
'elder' becomes 'senor' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'taking' indicates putting letters inside.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'a'+'t'='at'
'senor' enclosing 'at' is 'SENATOR'.

'to replace independent' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for senator that I've seen before include "Upper house US Congressman" , "US representative" , "Member of the Second House" , "Member of Upper House engaged in treason" , "Roman legislator" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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