nomination

(noun) the act of officially naming a candidate. Example: "The republican nomination for governor."

(noun) the condition of having been proposed as a suitable candidate for appointment or election. Examples: "There was keen competition for the nomination." "His nomination was hotly protested."

(noun) an address (usually at a political convention) proposing the name of a candidate to run for election. Synonyms: nominating speech, nominating address. Example: "The nomination was brief and to the point."