Looking for a word for a specific context

I'm writing about a politician who was expected to get a ministerial position that was instead given to someone else. Sentence goes like

Lloyd Axworthy, a front-bencher who was ____ out of a ministerial position by Andre Ouellette...

What's this verb I'm looking for in the blank spot. I thought maybe "snubbed" but looking at the definition, it doesn't seem to fit. Let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks!

Solution 1:

The phrasal verb elbow out fits the bill nicely.

to force someone or something out of a position or job:

He resigned before he was elbowed out.

[Cambridge]

Therefore you could say

Lloyd Axworthy, a front-bencher who was elbowed out of a ministerial position by Andre Ouellette...