竞选
jìngxuǎn · HSK 7
to take part in an election; to run for office
🗳️ 竞 compete + 选 choose/elect = compete to be chosen = run for office
竞 means to compete or contend; 选 means to choose or elect. Together: competing to be elected, i.e. running a campaign for office. The 选 here is the same 选 as in 选择 (to choose).
选 — 辶 walk + 巽 (xùn, phonetic)
选 combines the walking radical 辶 with 巽, which suggests the sound. The original sense relates to going through or passing by, extended to 'picking out' or 'choosing' from a group. The simplified form replaces the older 選.