What does "candidacy" mean?

The state of being a candidate; candidateship.

Candidacy

Common synonyms include: campaigning, candidature, advancement to candidacy, application, application for admission, class rep election.

/ˈkændɪdəsi/ noun

noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Noun

1
The state of being a candidate; candidateship. countable, uncountable
"Let it be borne in mind, moreover, that since the period of his last candidacy he has rendered the most memorable services to the country"
2
the campaign of a candidate to be elected wordnet

"French finance minister Christine Lagarde headed to Brazil as part of a tour to garner support for her candidacy."

From candidate + -cy.