Frank finished off contender (9)

I believe the answer is:

candidate

'contender' is the definition.

'frank finished off' is the wordplay.
'frank' becomes 'candid' ('candid' can be a synonym of 'frank').
'finished off' becomes 'ate'.
'candid'+'ate'='CANDIDATE'

(Other definitions for candidate that I've seen before include "runner" , "Campaigner" , "Competitor" , "Person seeking office or appointment" , "Job applicant or political aspirant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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