electioneering

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

electioneering
    n 1: persuasion of voters in a political campaign [syn:
         {electioneering}, {bell ringing}, {canvassing}]
    2: the campaign of a candidate to be elected [syn:
       {campaigning}, {candidacy}, {candidature}, {electioneering},
       {political campaign}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Electioneer \E*lec`tion*eer"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   {Electionered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Electioneering}.]
   To make interest for a candidate at an election; to use arts
   for securing the election of a candidate.
   [1913 Webster]

         A master of the whole art of electioneering.
                                                  --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster]