Candidacy is the state of being a candidate, someone who is running for an office or position or applying for something important. When a senator announces her candidacy for president, she's formally declaring that she's entering the race and asking voters to choose her. When you submit your application to a competitive summer program, you're putting forward your candidacy for one of the limited spots.

Today, candidacy involves much more than just signing up: it means actively campaigning, explaining your qualifications, and convincing others you're the right choice.

You'll often hear phrases like “announce one's candidacy” or “launch a candidacy,” which mark the official beginning of someone's campaign. A candidacy can be strong or weak depending on the candidate's qualifications and support. Sometimes people withdraw their candidacy if they realize they won't win or can no longer run effectively.

While candidacy most commonly applies to political elections, it can describe any formal pursuit of a position. A scientist working toward advanced certification is pursuing candidacy for that credential. The key idea is that candidacy represents the active process of seeking something, not just wanting it privately.