Crossword Genius

To an extent, Harris hindered election loser (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rishi

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'loser' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'to an extent harris hindered election' is the wordplay.
'to an extent' indicates a hidden word (I've seen 'extent of' mean this (I've seen this in other clues)).
'RISHI' is hidden in the letters of 'harris hindered election'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rishi that I've seen before include "Poet" , "Spiritual leader" , "Hindu sage or saint" , "wise man" , "Revered man" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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