Nope. Candidates only get SS protection when one of two things happens: They are nominated by one of the two favored political parties, the Republicans or the Democrats, in convention, OR, the sitting President grants it to them. That's it.
George W. Bush granted protection to Obama way early - before the Dem convention - in the 2008 election.
Obama got his in May 2007. According to the article, SS consults with leaders of both parties of Congress.